Electronic device and method for controlling a sensor, based on a signal indicating an operation of a display

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure includes an electronic device and a method thereof. The electronic device includes a display, an ambient light sensor, and at least one processor, operatively connected to the display and the ambient light sensor. The at least one processor is configured to detect, by using the ambient light sensor, ambient light of the electronic device during a first duration in a state in which the display is turned off, identify a setting for being used for the ambient light sensor, based at least in part on a characteristic of the ambient light, detect, by using the ambient light sensor, ambient light of the electronic device during a second duration based at least in part on the identified setting, and control a function of the display, based at least in part on the characteristic of the ambient light detected during the second duration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/994,794 filed on May 31, 2018, which is based on and claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0068473filed on Jun. 1, 2017, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, thedisclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Various embodiments relate to an electronic device and method forcontrolling an ambient light sensor.

2. Description of Related Art

With the growth of technologies, an electronic device performing variousfunctions is being developed. The electronic device may perform variousfunctions through several sensors. For example, the electronic devicecan measure an illuminance of an environment where the electronic deviceis located, by means of an ambient light sensor.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determinationhas been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

An ambient light sensor of an electronic device may be used to measurean illuminance of an environment where the electronic device is located.

Meantime, the electronic device may include a display. This display mayprovide light so as to provide information. The light provided by thedisplay may affect measuring the illuminance of the environment wherethe electronic device is located.

Various embodiments may provide an electronic device and method forcontrolling an ambient light sensor, based on an environment where theelectronic device is located and an operation mode of a display.

Various embodiments may provide an electronic device and method forcontrolling an operation of an ambient light sensor, based on a signalindicating an operation of a display.

An electronic device according to various embodiments includes adisplay. The electronic device also includes an ambient light sensordisposed in at least partial region of the display or beneath thedisplay. The electronic device further includes at least one processoroperatively connected to the display and the ambient light sensor. Theat least one processor is configured to detect ambient light of theelectronic device during a first duration by using the ambient lightsensor, in a state in which the display is turned off. The at least oneprocessor is further configured to identify a setting for being used forthe ambient light sensor, based at least in part on a characteristic ofthe ambient light. The at least one processor is further configured todetect ambient light of the electronic device during a second durationthrough the ambient light sensor, based at least in part on theidentified setting. The at least one processor is further configured toand control a function of the display, based at least in part on acharacteristic of the ambient light detected during the second duration.

An electronic device, according to various embodiments, includes adisplay. The electronic device also includes an ambient light sensor,which includes at least one light receiving unit for sensing ambientlight of the electronic device. The electronic device further includesat least one processor operatively connected to the display and theambient light sensor. The at least one processor is configured toactivate the light receiving unit of the ambient light sensor during afirst duration of time, to detect ambient light of the electronicdevice. In in response to a characteristic of the ambient lightsatisfying a designated condition, the at least one processor isconfigured to activate the light receiving unit during a part of asecond duration of time and inactivate the light receiving unit duringanother part of the second duration of time, to detect ambient light ofthe electronic device. The at least one processor is further configuredto control a function of the display, based at least in part on acharacteristic of the ambient light detected during the second durationof time.

A method of an electronic device, according to various embodiments,includes sensing ambient light of the electronic device during a firstduration by using an ambient light sensor, in a state in which a displayis turned off. The method also includes identifying setting for beingused for the ambient light sensor, based on at least in part on acharacteristic of the ambient light. The method also includes sensingambient light of the electronic device during a second duration throughthe ambient light sensor, based on at least in part on the identifiedsetting. The method further includes controlling a function of thedisplay, based at least in part on a characteristic of the ambient lightdetected during the second duration.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may beadvantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases usedthroughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” aswell as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term“or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and“associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean toinclude, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be containedwithin, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with,cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to orwith, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller”means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least oneoperation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware orsoftware, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should benoted that the functionality associated with any particular controllermay be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely.

Moreover, various functions described below can be implemented orsupported by one or more computer programs, each of which is formed fromcomputer readable program code and embodied in a computer readablemedium. The terms “application” and “program” refer to one or morecomputer programs, software components, sets of instructions,procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, related data, or aportion thereof adapted for implementation in a suitable computerreadable program code. The phrase “computer readable program code”includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code,and executable code. The phrase “computer readable medium” includes anytype of medium capable of being accessed by a computer, such as readonly memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, acompact disc (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), or any other type ofmemory. A “non-transitory” computer readable medium excludes wired,wireless, optical, or other communication links that transporttransitory electrical or other signals. A non-transitory computerreadable medium includes media where data can be permanently stored andmedia where data can be stored and later overwritten, such as arewritable optical disc or an erasable memory device.

Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout thispatent document. Those of ordinary skill in the art should understandthat in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, aswell as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a network environment including anelectronic device according to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a program module according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of disposing an ambient light sensor in anelectronic device according to various embodiments;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate examples of a structure of a region where anambient light sensor of an electronic device is disposed according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a functional construction of anelectronic device according to various embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a construction of an ambient lightsensor according to various embodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a scanning line included in a panel ofan electronic device and an operation of the scanning line according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an operation for measuring ambientlight in an electronic device according to various embodiments;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of an operation for measuring lightaround an electronic device according to a state of a display includedin the electronic device according to various embodiments;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of an operation for identifying thesetting of an ambient light sensor in an electronic device according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 12A illustrates an example of an operation for identifying thesetting of an ambient light sensor included in an electronic deviceaccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 12B illustrates an example of the setting of an ambient lightsensor included in an electronic device according to variousembodiments;

FIG. 13A illustrates another example of an operation for identifying thesetting of an ambient light sensor included in an electronic deviceaccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 13B illustrates another example of the setting of an ambient lightsensor included in an electronic device according to variousembodiments;

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of an operation for sensing light aroundan electronic device, based on a state signal according to variousembodiments;

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a scanning line and an ambient lightsensor which are included in an electronic device according to variousembodiments;

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of an operation of an ambient lightsensor included in an electronic device according to variousembodiments; and

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a signal flow for controlling adisplay included in an electronic device according to variousembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 through 17 , discussed below, and the various embodiments usedto describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patentdocument are by way of illustration only and should not be construed inany way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the artwill understand that the principles of the present disclosure may beimplemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present document are mentionedbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. An embodiment and theterms used in this do not intend to limit the technology mentioned inthe present document to a specific embodiment form, and should beconstrued as including various changes of the corresponding embodiment,equivalents thereof, and/or alternatives thereof. In the drawings, likereference symbols may denote like constituent elements. The expressionof a singular form may include the expression of a plural form unlessotherwise dictating clearly in context. In the present document, theexpressions “A or B”, “at least one of A and/or B”, etc. may include allavailable combinations of words enumerated together. The expressions“1st”, “2nd”, “first”, “second”, etc. may modify correspondingconstituent elements irrespective of order and/or importance, and arejust used to distinguish one constituent element from anotherconstituent element and do not limit the corresponding constituentelements. When it is mentioned that any (e.g., 1st) constituent elementis “(operatively or communicatively) coupled with/to” or is “connectedto” another (e.g., 2nd) constituent element, the any constituent elementmay be directly coupled to the another constituent element, or becoupled through a further constituent element (e.g., a third constituentelement).

The expression “configured (or set) to˜” used in the present documentmay be used interchangeably with, for example, “suitable for˜”, “havingthe capacity to˜”, “designed to˜”, “adapted to˜”, “made to˜”, or“capable of˜” in a hardware or software manner in accordance tocircumstances. In any situation, the expression “device configured to˜”may represent that the device is “capable of˜” together with otherdevices or components. For example, the phrase “processor configured (orset) to perform A, B and C” may represent an exclusive processor (e.g.,embedded processor) for performing a corresponding operation, or ageneric-purpose processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or anapplication processor (AP)) capable of performing correspondingoperations by executing one or more software programs stored in a memorydevice.

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the presentdocument may, for example, include at least one of a smartphone, atablet personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, anelectronic book reader, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a netbook computer, aworkstation, a server, a portable digital assistant (PDA), a portablemultimedia player (PMP), an MPEG-1 audio layer-3 (MP3) player, a medicaldevice, a camera or a wearable device. The wearable device may includeat least one of an accessory type (e.g., a watch, a ring, a wristlet, ananklet, a necklace, glasses, a contact lens or a head-mounted-device(HMD)), a fabric or clothing integrated type (e.g., electronic clothes),a human-body mount type (e.g., a skin pad or tattoo) or a bioimplantation type (e.g., an implantable circuit). According to certainembodiment, the electronic device may, for example, include at least oneof a television (TV), a digital versatile disc (DVD) player, an audiosystem, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a cleaner, an oven, amicrowave, a washing machine, an air cleaner, a set-top box, a homeautomation control panel, a security control panel, a media box (forexample, Samsung HomeSync™, Apple TV™ or Google TV™), a game console(e.g., Xbox™ or PlayStation™), an electronic dictionary, an electroniclocking system, a camcorder or an electronic frame.

In another embodiment, the electronic device may include at least one ofvarious medical devices (e.g., various portable medical measurementdevices (e.g., a blood glucose sensor, a heat rate sensor, a bloodpressure monitor, a body temperature meter, etc.), magnetic resonanceangiography (MRA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography(CT), a imaging equipment, an ultrasonic instrument, etc.)), anavigation device, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), an eventdata recorder (EDR), a flight data recorder (FDR), a car infotainmentdevice, an electronic equipment for ship (e.g., a vessel navigationdevice, a gyro compass, etc.), avionics, a security device, a car headunit, an industrial or domestic robot, a drone, an automatic teller'smachine (ATM) of a financial institution, point of sales (POS) of shops,an internet of things (IoT) device (e.g., an electric bulb, varioussensors, a sprinkler device, a fire alarm, a thermostat, a streetlight,a toaster, an exerciser, a hot water tank, a heater, a boiler, etc.).According to certain embodiment, the electronic device may include atleast one of a part of furniture, a building/structure or a car, anelectronic board, an electronic signature receiving device, a projectoror various metering devices (e.g., tap water, electricity, gas, radiowave metering devices or the like). In various embodiments, theelectronic device may be flexible, or be a combination of two or more ofthe aforementioned various devices. The electronic device according toan embodiment of the present document is not limited to theaforementioned devices. In the present document, the term ‘user’ maydenote a person who uses the electronic device or a device (e.g., anartificial-intelligent electronic device) which uses the electronicdevice.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a network environment systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an electronic device 101 within a networkenvironment 100 in various embodiments is described. The electronicdevice 101 may include a bus 110, a processor 120, a memory 130, aninput output interface 150, a display 160, and a communication interface170. In some embodiment, the electronic device 101 may omit at least oneof the constituent elements or additionally have another constituentelement. The bus 110 may, for example, include a circuit coupling theconstituent elements 110, 120, 150, 160 and 170 with one another andforwarding communication (e.g., a control message or data) between theconstituent elements. The processor 120 may include one or more of acentral processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP) or acommunication processor (CP). The processor 120 may, for example,execute operation or data processing for control and/or communication ofat least one another constituent element of the electronic device 101.

The memory 130 may include a volatile and/or non-volatile memory. Thememory 130 may, for example, store a command or data related to at leastone another constituent element of the electronic device 101. Accordingto an embodiment, the memory 130 may store a software and/or program140. The program 140 may, for example, include a kernel 141, amiddleware 143, an application programming interface (API) 145, anapplication program (or “application”) 147, and the like. At least someof the kernel 141, the middleware 143 or the API 145 may be called anoperating system (OS). The kernel 141 may, for example, control ormanage system resources (e.g., bus 110, processor 120, memory 130, andthe like) that are used for executing operations or functionsimplemented in other programs (e.g., middleware 143, API 145 orapplication program 147). Also, the kernel 141 may provide an interfacethrough which the middleware 143, the API 145 or the application program147 may control or manage the system resources of the electronic device101 by accessing the individual constituent element of the electronicdevice 101.

The middleware 143 may, for example, perform a relay role of enablingthe API 145 or the application program 147 to communicate and exchangedata with the kernel 141. Also, the middleware 143 may process one ormore work requests that are received from the application program 147,in accordance with priority. For example, the middleware 143 may grantpriority capable of using the system resources (e.g., the bus 110, theprocessor 120, the memory 130 or the like) of the electronic device 101to at least one of the application programs 147, and process one or morework requests. The API 145 is, for example, an interface enabling theapplication program 147 to control a function provided by the kernel 141or the middleware 143 and may, for example, include at least oneinterface or function (e.g., an instruction) for file control, windowcontrol, image processing, character control or the like. The inputoutput interface 150 may forward a command or data inputted from a useror another external device, to another constituent element(s) of theelectronic device 101, or output a command or data received from theanother constituent element(s) of the electronic device 101, to the useror another external device.

The display 160 may, for example, include a liquid crystal display(LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emittingdiode (OLED) display, a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) display oran electronic paper display. The display 160 may, for example, displayvarious contents (e.g., a text, an image, a video, an icon, a symboland/or the like) to a user. The display 160 may include a touch screen.And, for example, the display 160 may receive a touch, gesture,proximity or hovering input that uses an electronic pen or a part of theuser's body.

The communication interface 170 may, for example, establishcommunication between the electronic device 101 and an external device(e.g., the first external electronic device 102, the second externalelectronic device 104 or the server 106). For example, the communicationinterface 170 may be coupled to a network 162 through wirelesscommunication or wired communication, to communicate with the externaldevice (e.g., the second external electronic device 104 or the server106).

The wireless communication may, for example, include a cellularcommunication that uses at least one of long term evolution (LTE),LTE-advanced (LTE-A), code division multiple access (CDMA), widebandCDMA (WCDMA), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS),wireless broadband (WiBro), global system for mobile communications(GSM) and the like. According to an embodiment, the wirelesscommunication may, for example, include at least one of wirelessfidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth (BT), Bluetooth low energy (BLE), Zigbee,near field communication (NFC), magnetic secure transmission (MST),radio frequency (RF) or body area network (BAN). According to anembodiment, the wireless communication may include GNSS. The GNSS may,for example, be a global positioning system (GPS), a global navigationsatellite system (Glonass), Beidou navigation satellite system(hereinafter, “Beidou”)) or Galileo, the European global satellite-basednavigation system. Hereinafter, the “GPS” may be used interchangeablywith the “GNSS”. The wired communication may, for example, include atleast one of a universal serial bus (USB), a high definition multimediainterface (HDMI), a recommended standard-232 (RS-232), power linecommunication (PLC), a plain old telephone service (POTS), and the like.The network 162 may include at least one of a telecommunicationsnetwork, for example, a computer network (e.g., local area network (LAN)or wide area network (WAN)), the Internet or a telephone network.

Each of the first and second electronic devices 102 and 104 may be adevice of the same or different type from that of the electronic device101. According to various embodiments, all or some of operationsexecuted in the electronic device 101 may be executed in another oneelectronic device or a plurality of electronic devices (e.g., theelectronic devices 102 and 104 or the server 106). According to anembodiment, where the electronic device 101 performs some function orservice automatically or in response to a request, the electronic device101 may, instead of or additionally to executing the function or servicein itself, send a request for execution of at least a partial functionassociated with this to another device (e.g., electronic device 102, 104or server 106). The another electronic device (e.g., electronic device102, 104 or server 106) may execute the requested function or additionalfunction, and forward the execution result to the electronic device 101.The electronic device 101 may process the received result as it is oradditionally, to provide the requested function or service. For this, acloud computing, distributed computing or client-server computingtechnology may be used, for example.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device according toan embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2 , an electronic device 201 may, for example, includethe entire or part of the electronic device 101 illustrated in FIG. 1 .The electronic device 201 may include one or more processors (e.g.,application processor (APs)) 210, a communication module 220, asubscriber identification module 224, a memory 230, a sensor module 240,an input device 250, a display 260, an interface 270, an audio module280, a camera module 291, a power management module 295, a battery 296,an indicator 297 and a motor 298.

The processor 210 may, for example, drive an operating system or anapplication program to control a majority of hardware or softwareconstituent elements coupled to the processor 210, and may performvarious data processing and operations. The processor 210 may be, forexample, implemented as a system on chip (SoC). According to anembodiment, the processor 210 may further include a graphic processingunit (GPU) and/or an image signal processor (ISP). The processor 210 mayinclude at least some (e.g., cellular module 221) of the constituentelements illustrated in FIG. 2 as well. The processor 210 may load acommand or data received from at least one of the other constituentelements (e.g., non-volatile memory), to a volatile memory, to processthe loaded command or data, and store the result data in thenon-volatile memory.

The communication module 220 may, for example, have the same or similarconstruction with the communication interface 170. The communicationmodule 220 may, for example, include a cellular module 221, a WiFimodule 223, a Bluetooth module 225, a GNSS module 227, a near fieldcommunication (NFC) module 228, and a radio frequency (RF) module 229.The cellular module 221 may, for example, provide voice telephony, videotelephony, a text service, an Internet service or the like through atelecommunication network. According to an embodiment, the cellularmodule 221 may perform the distinction and authentication of theelectronic device 201 within the telecommunication network, by using thesubscriber identification module (e.g., SIM card) 224. According to anembodiment, the cellular module 221 may perform at least some functionsamong functions that the processor 210 may provide. According to anembodiment, the cellular module 221 may include a communicationprocessor (CP). According to some embodiment, at least some (e.g., twoor more) of the cellular module 221, the WiFi module 223, the Bluetoothmodule 225, the GNSS module 227 or the NFC module 228 may be includedwithin one integrated chip (IC) or IC package. The RF module 229 may,for example, transceive a communication signal (e.g., RF signal). The RFmodule 229 may, for example, include a transceiver, a power amplifiermodule (PAM), a frequency filter, a low noise amplifier (LNA), anantenna or the like. According to another embodiment, at least one ofthe cellular module 221, the WiFi module 223, the Bluetooth module 225,the GNSS module 227 or the NFC module 228 may transceive an RF signalthrough a separate RF module. The subscriber identification module 224may, for example, include a card including a subscriber identificationmodule and/or an embedded SIM. And, the subscriber identification module224 may include unique identification information (e.g., integratedcircuit card identifier (ICCID)) or subscriber information (e.g.,international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)).

The memory 230 (e.g., memory 130) may, for example, include an internalmemory 232 or an external memory 234. The internal memory 232 may, forexample, include at least one of a volatile memory (e.g., a dynamicrandom access memory (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a synchronous dynamicRAM (SDRAM) or the like) and a non-volatile memory (e.g., one timeprogrammable read only memory (OTPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), anerasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, aflash ROM, a flash memory, a hard drive or a solid state drive (SSD)).The external memory 234 may include a flash drive, for example, acompact flash (CF), a secure digital (SD), a micro-SD, a mini-SD, anextreme Digital (xD), a Multi Media Card (MMC), a memory stick or thelike. The external memory 234 may be operatively or physically coupledwith the electronic device 201 through various interfaces.

The sensor module 240 may, for example, measure a physical quantity orsense an activation state of the electronic device 201, to convertmeasured or sensed information into an electrical signal. The sensormodule 240 may, for example, include at least one of a gesture sensor240A, a gyro sensor 240B, a barometer 240C, a magnetic sensor 240D, anacceleration sensor 240E, a grip sensor 240F, a proximity sensor 240G, acolor sensor 240H (e.g., a red, green, blue (RGB) sensor), a biometric(medical) sensor 240I, a temperature/humidity sensor 240J, an ambientlight (illuminance) sensor 240K or an ultra violet (UV) sensor 240M.Additionally or alternatively, the sensor module 240 may, for example,include an E-nose sensor, an electromyography (EMG) sensor, anelectroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, aninfrared (IR) sensor, an iris scan sensor and/or a finger scan sensor.The sensor module 240 may further include a control circuit forcontrolling at least one or more sensors belonging therein. In someembodiment, the electronic device 201 may further include a processorconfigured to control the sensor module 240 as a part of the processor210 or separately, thereby controlling the sensor module 240 while theprocessor 210 is in a sleep state.

The sensor hub 242 may receive detection values from various sensorswhich are included in the sensor module 240, and may transmit thereceived detection values or a decision result which is determined basedon the received detection values, to the processor 210. Further, thesensor hub 242 may receive, from the processor 210, a signal forcontrolling the various sensors which are included in the sensor module240, and may control the various sensors based on the received signal.The sensor hub 242 may be configured with various form. For example, thesensor hub 242 may be located within or outside of the processor 210. Ifthe sensor hub 242 is located outside of the processor 210, the sensorhub 242 may include a supplementary processor. The sensor hub 242 may beincluded in the processor 210 in the form of the supplementaryprocessor. For another example, the sensor hub 242 may be stored in thememory as at least one module in the form of instructions.

The input device 250 may, for example, include a touch panel 252, a(digital) pen sensor 254, a key 256 or an ultrasonic input device 258.The touch panel 252 may, for example, use at least one scheme among acapacitive overlay scheme, a pressure sensitive scheme, an infrared beamscheme or an ultrasonic scheme. Also, the touch panel 252 may furtherinclude a control circuit as well. The touch panel 252 may furtherinclude a tactile layer, to provide a tactile response to a user. The(digital) pen sensor 254 may, for example, be a part of the touch panel252, or include a separate sheet for recognition. The key 256 may, forexample, include a physical button, an optical key or a keypad. Theultrasonic input device 258 may sense an ultrasonic wave generated in aninput tool, through a microphone (e.g., microphone 288), to confirm datacorresponding to the sensed ultrasonic wave.

The display 260 (e.g., the display 160) may include a panel 262, ahologram device 264, a projector 266, a display driver interface (DDI)268, and/or a control circuit for controlling them. The panel 262 may,for example, be implemented to be flexible, transparent, or wearable.The panel 262 may be constructed as one or more modules together withthe touch panel 252. The hologram device 264 may show athree-dimensional image to the air using an interference of light. Theprojector 266 may project light onto a screen, to display an image. Thescreen may, for example, be located inside or outside the electronicdevice 201. The DDI 268 may adjust a luminance by controlling a ratiobetween an on duration and an off duration of the panel 262. Theinterface 270 may, for example, include an HDMI 272, a USB 274, anoptical interface 276 or a D-subminiature (D-sub) 278. The interface 270may, for example, be included in the communication interface 170illustrated in FIG. 1 . Additionally or alternatively, the interface 270may, for example, include a Mobile High-definition Link (MHL) interface,an SD card/Multi Media Card (MMC) interface or an Infrared DataAssociation (IrDA) standard interface.

The audio module 280 may, for example, convert a sound and an electricalsignal interactively. At least some constituent elements of the audiomodule 280 may be, for example, included in the input output interface150 illustrated in FIG. 1 . The audio module 280 may for example,process sound information that is inputted or outputted through aspeaker 282, a receiver 284, an earphone 286, the microphone 288 or thelike. The camera module 291 is, for example, a device able to photographa still image and a video. According to an embodiment, the camera module291 may include one or more image sensors (e.g., front sensor or rearsensor), a lens, an image signal processor (ISP) or a flash (e.g., anLED, a xenon lamp or the like). The power management module 295 may, forexample, manage the electric power of the electronic device 201.According to an embodiment, the power management module 295 may includea power management integrated circuit (PMIC), a charger IC or a batteryor fuel gauge. The PMIC may, for example, employ a wired and/or wirelesscharging scheme. The wireless charging scheme may, for example, includea magnetic resonance scheme, a magnetic induction scheme, anelectromagnetic wave scheme or the like. And, the wireless chargingscheme may further include a supplementary circuit for wirelesscharging, for example, a coil loop, a resonance circuit, a rectifier orthe like. The battery gauge may, for example, measure a level of thebattery 296, a voltage being in charge, an electric current or atemperature. The battery 296 may, for example, include a rechargeablebattery and/or a solar battery.

The indicator 297 may display a specific state, for example, a bootingstate, a message state, a charging state or the like of the electronicdevice 201 or a part (e.g., processor 210) of the electronic device 201.The motor 298 may convert an electrical signal into a mechanicalvibration, and may generate a vibration, a haptic effect or the like.The electronic device 201 may, for example, include a mobile TV supportdevice (e.g., GPU) capable of processing media data according to thestandards of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), digital videobroadcasting (DVB), mediaFlo™ or the like. Each of the constituentelements described in the present document may consist of one or morecomponents, and a name of the corresponding constituent element may bevaried according to the kind of the electronic device. In variousembodiments, the electronic device (e.g., electronic device 201) mayomit some constituent elements, or further include additionalconstituent elements, or combine some of the constituent elements toconfigure one entity, but identically perform functions of correspondingconstituent elements before combination.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a program module according tovarious embodiments.

According to an embodiment, the program module 310 (e.g., the program140) may include an operating system (OS) controlling resources relatedto an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 101 or 201) and/orvarious applications (e.g., the application program 147) run on theoperating system. The operating system may, for example, includeAndroid™, iOS™, Windows™, Symbian™, Tizen™, or Bada™.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the program module 310 may include a kernel 320(e.g., the kernel 141), a middleware 330 (e.g., the middleware 143), anAPI 360 (e.g., the API 145), and/or an application 370 (e.g., theapplication program 147). At least a part of the program module 310 maybe preloaded onto an electronic device, or be downloadable from anexternal electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102 or 104, theserver 106, etc.).

The kernel 320 may, for example, include a system resource manager 321and/or a device driver 323. The system resource manager 321 may performcontrol of a system resource, allocation thereof, or recovery thereof.According to an embodiment, the system resource manager 321 may includea process management unit, a memory management unit, or a file systemmanagement unit. The device driver 323 may, for example, include adisplay driver, a camera driver, a Bluetooth driver, a shared memorydriver, a USB driver, a keypad driver, a WiFi driver, an audio driver,or an inter-process communication (IPC) driver. The middleware 330 may,for example, provide a function that the application 370 needs incommon, or provide various functions to the application 370 through theAPI 360 wherein the application 370 may make use of restricted systemresources within an electronic device. According to an embodiment, themiddleware 330 may include at least one of a runtime library 335, anapplication manager 341, a window manager 342, a multimedia manager 343,a resource manager 344, a power manager 345, a database manager 346, apackage manager 347, a connectivity manager 348, a notification manager349, a location manager 350, a graphic manager 351, or a securitymanager 352.

The runtime library 335 may, for example, include a library module thata compiler utilizes so as to add a new function through a programminglanguage while the application 370 is executed. The runtime library 335may perform input output management, memory management, or arithmeticfunction processing. The application manager 341 may, for example,manage a lifecycle of the application 370. The window manager 342 maymanage a GUI resource which is used for a screen. The multimedia manager343 may obtain a format used for playing media files, and performencoding or decoding of the media file by using a codec suitable to thecorresponding format. The resource manager 344 may manage a source codeof the application 370 or a space of a memory. The power manager 345may, for example, manage a battery capacity, temperature or powersupply, and identify or provide power information used for an operationof an electronic device by using corresponding information among this.According to an embodiment, the power manager 345 may interwork with abasic input/output system (BIOS). The database manager 346 may, forexample, provide, search or change a database that will be used in theapplication 370. The package manager 347 may manage the installing orrefining of an application that is distributed in the form of a packagefile.

The connectivity manager 348 may, for example, manage wirelessconnectivity. The notification manager 349 may, for example, provide anevent such as an arrival message, an appointment, a proximitynotification, etc. to a user. The location manager 350 may, for example,manage location information of an electronic device. The graphic manager351 may, for example, manage a graphic effect that will be provided tothe user, or a user interface related with this. The security manager352 may, for example, provide system security or user authentication.According to an embodiment, the middleware 330 may include a telephonymanager for managing a voice or video call function of the electronicdevice, or a middleware module capable of forming a combination offunctions of the aforementioned constituent elements. According to anembodiment, the middleware 330 may provide a module that is specializedby type of an operating system. The middleware 330 may dynamicallydelete some of the existing constituent elements, or add new constituentelements. The API 360 is, for example, a set of API programmingfunctions, and may be provided to have another construction according tothe operating system. For example, Android or iOS may provide one APIset by platform, and Tizen may provide two or more API sets by platform.

The application 370 may, for example, include a home 371, a dialer 372,a short message service (SMS)/multimedia message service (MMS) 373, aninstant message (IM) 374, a browser 375, a camera 376, an alarm 377, acontact 378, a voice dial 379, an electronic mail (e-mail) 380, acalendar 381, a media player 382, an album 383, a watch 384, a healthcare (e.g., measuring a momentum, a blood sugar or the like), or anenvironment information (e.g., air pressure, humidity, or temperatureinformation) provision application. According to an embodiment, theapplication 370 may include an information exchange application capableof supporting information exchange between an electronic device and anexternal electronic device. The information exchange application may,for example, include a notification relay application for relayingspecific information to the external electronic device, or a devicemanagement application for managing the external electronic device. Forexample, the notification relay application may relay notificationinformation provided in another application of the electronic device, tothe external electronic device, or receive notification information fromthe external electronic device and provide the received notificationinformation to a user. The device management application may, forexample, install, delete, or refine a function (e.g.,turned-on/turned-off of the external electronic device itself (or somecomponents) or adjustment of a brightness (or resolution) of a display)of the external electronic device which communicates with the electronicdevice, or an application which operates in the external electronicdevice. According to an embodiment, the application 370 may include anapplication (e.g., a health care application of a mobile medicalinstrument) designated according to properties of the externalelectronic device. According to an embodiment, the application 370 mayinclude an application received from the external electronic device. Atleast a part of the program module 310 may be implemented (e.g.,executed) as software, firmware, hardware (e.g., the processor 210), ora combination of at least two or more of them, and may include a modulefor performing one or more functions, a program, a routine, sets ofinstructions or a process.

The term “module” used in the document may include a unit consisting ofhardware, software or firmware, and may be, for example, usedinterchangeably with the term “logic”, “logic block”, “component”,“circuitry” or the like. The “module” may be an integrally configuredcomponent or the minimum unit performing one or more functions or a partthereof. The “module” may be implemented mechanically or electronically,and may, for example, include an application-specific integrated circuit(ASIC) chip, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or a programmablelogic device, which has been known or will be developed in future,performing some operations. At least a part of an apparatus (e.g.,modules or functions thereof) or method (e.g., operations) according tovarious embodiments may, for example, be implemented as an instructionwhich is stored in a computer-readable storage medium (e.g., the memory130) in the form of a program module. In response to the instructionbeing executed by a processor (e.g., the processor 120 of FIG. 1 or theprocessor 210 of FIG. 2 ), the processor may perform a functioncorresponding to the instruction.

The computer-readable recording medium may include a hard disk, a floppydisk, a magnetic medium (e.g., a magnetic tape), an optical recordingmedium (e.g., a compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), a digitalversatile disk (DVD)), a magneto-optical medium (e.g., a flopticaldisk), an internal memory, etc. The instruction may include a code whichis made by a compiler or a code which is executable by an interpreter.The module or program module according to various embodiments mayinclude at least one or more of the aforementioned constituent elements,or omit some of them, or further include another constituent element.Operations carried out by the module, the program module or the anotherconstituent element according to various embodiments may be executed ina sequential, parallel, repeated or heuristic manner, or at least someoperations may be executed in different order or may be omitted, oranother operation may be added.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of disposing an ambient light sensor in anelectronic device according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the electronic device 101 may include the ambientlight sensor 240K and the display 260. The display 260 may include thepanel 262. The ambient light sensor 240K and the panel 262 may bedisposed in a front surface of the electronic device 101. In variousembodiments, the ambient light sensor 240K may be disposed in a region400 related with the panel 262 wherein the ambient light sensor 240K isnot exposed to the front surface (or outside the electronic device 101)of the electronic device 101. For example, the ambient light sensor 240Kmay be positioned in the region 400 of a lower end of the panel 262. Foranother example, the ambient light sensor 240K may be positioned in theregion 400 included in the panel 262. A structure of the region 400 willbe exemplified through FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B.

In various embodiments, the display 260 includes the ambient lightsensor 240K disposed not to be exposed to the front surface of the panel262, whereby the electronic device 101 may provide a wider screen thanan electronic device including an ambient light sensor disposed to beexposed to the front surface of the panel 262 (e.g., an ambient lightsensor, etc. disposed in a bezel region of the electronic device).

FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which the ambient light sensor 240K isdisposed at a left upper end of the panel 262, but the ambient lightsensor 240K may be disposed in another region as well. For example, theambient light sensor 240K may be positioned in at least one of a middleupper end, right upper end, left middle end, middle end, left lower end,middle lower end, or right lower end of the panel 262. However, aposition where the ambient light sensor 240K is disposed is not limitedto the aforementioned example. For example, the ambient light sensor240K may be positioned in a bezel region of the electronic device 101 ora side surface or rear surface of the electronic device 101 as well.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example of a structure of a region in which anambient light sensor of an electronic device is disposed according tovarious embodiments. FIG. 5A illustrates a part of a section of theelectronic device 101 which is taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 4 .

Referring to FIG. 5A, the electronic device 101 may include the ambientlight sensor 240K, a glass 501, and the panel 262 of the display 260.Although not illustrated in FIG. 5A, the panel 262 may further includeanother component for displaying a screen. For example, the panel 262may further include a polarization plate, a TFT-array substrate, a colorfilter substrate, etc. In some embodiments, the panel 262 may becomprised of a light emitting diode (LED) panel or a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) panel.

The panel 262 may be disposed beneath the glass 501. The ambient lightsensor 240K may be disposed beneath the panel 262.

The region 400 may include at least a part of the glass 501 and at leasta part of the panel 262. The at least part of the panel 262 may bedisposed beneath the at least part of the glass 501. The ambient lightsensor 240K may be disposed beneath the at least part of the panel 262.In other words, the region 400 may indicate a region where the ambientlight sensor 240K is positioned beneath the panel 262.

FIG. 5B illustrates another example of a structure of a region where anambient light sensor of an electronic device according to variousembodiments is disposed. FIG. 5B illustrates a part of a section of theelectronic device 101 which is taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 4 .

Referring to FIG. 5B, the electronic device 101 may include the ambientlight sensor 240K, the glass 501, and the panel 262. In someembodiments, the panel 262 may consist of a LED. In other someembodiments, the panel 262 may be comprised of a liquid crystal display(LCD) which further includes a backlight unit (not shown).

Unlike the structure illustrated in FIG. 5A, the ambient light sensor240K may be included in at least a partial region of the panel 262. Forexample, the ambient light sensor 240K may be disposed in a boundaryregion between the panel 22 and a bezel of the electronic device 101. Inthis embodiment, the ambient light sensor 240K may be included in thepartial region of the panel 262.

The region 400 may be comprised of at least a part of the glass 501, atleast a part of the panel 262, and the ambient light sensor 240K. The atleast part of the panel 262 may be disposed beneath the at least part ofthe glass 501. The ambient light sensor 240K may be included in the atleast part of the panel 262. For example, the ambient light sensor 240Kmay be disposed between a plurality of elements scattering light (orrays) and included in the panel 262.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a functional construction of anelectronic device according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the electronic device 101 may include theprocessor 120, the sensor hub 242, the ambient light sensor 240K, andthe display 260.

The processor 120, the sensor hub 242, the ambient light sensor 240K,and/or the display 260 may be coupled to one another. For example, atleast some of the processor 120, the ambient light sensor 240K and thedisplay 260 may be directly connected to one another. For anotherexample, at least some of the processor 120, the ambient light sensor240K and the display 260 may be indirectly connected to one anotherthrough another device or circuit.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may be configured to executeinstructions stored in the memory 130 in order for the ambient lightsensor 240K to receive light (or rays) (e.g., be configured to controlone or more of the ambient light sensor 240K or the sensor hub 242 toreceive light). For further example, the processor 120 may be configuredto execute the stored instructions in order to change a luminance of thepanel 262.

In accordance with embodiments, the processor 120 may be comprised ofone or more processors. At least some of the one or more processors maybe included in another component included in the electronic device 101.For example, at least some of the one or more processors may be includedthe sensor hub 242, the ambient light sensor 240K, and/or the display260.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may receive informationrelated with light (or rays) from the ambient light sensor 240K. In someembodiments, the processor 120 may receive the information related withthe light from the ambient light sensor 240K, through the sensor hub242. The information related with the light may include data forindicating an illuminance of light around the electronic device 101. Thedata for indicating the illuminance may be configured with a digitalformat. The data for indicating the illuminance may directly indicatethe illuminance of the light, or indirectly indicate through an index,an indication, etc. In response to the data for indicating theilluminance being indicated through the index, etc., the processor 120may identify the illuminance of the light by using a table includinginformation about a relationship between the illuminance and the index.The table may be stored in the memory 130.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may identify a brightness (orluminance) of a screen outputted (or displayed) through the panel 262included in the display 260, based on the information related with thelight received from the ambient light sensor 240K. The informationrelated with the light may include data regarding light around theelectronic device 101 measured through the light receiving unit 612 ofthe ambient light sensor 240K. The processor 120 may control abrightness (or luminance) of a screen of the panel 262, based at leastin part on data related with an illuminance. The processor 120 mayidentify the luminance of the screen through the panel 262, as a valuecorresponding to the illuminance. For example, in response to the datarelated with the illuminance being equal to or being greater than adesignated value, the processor 120 may increase the luminance of thepanel 262. The luminance of the screen outputted through the panel 262may be in proportion to the illuminance.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may provide information on theluminance to the display 260. The processor 120 may provide theinformation on the luminance to the display driver interface (DDI) 268included in the display 260. The information on the luminance may beimplemented in various formats. For example, the information on theluminance may be configured with an indirect format such as an index, anindicator, etc. as well.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may receive information oflight in an environment related with the electronic device 101, from theambient light sensor 240K. In some embodiments, the processor 120 mayreceive the information of the light in the environment related with theelectronic device 101, through the sensor hub 242. The sensor hub 242may receive the information of the light from the ambient light sensor240K, and forward the received information to the processor 120, orprocess and transmit the received data to the processor 120.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may identify whether theambient light sensor 240K will receive light by using the lightreceiving unit 612. For example, the processor 120 may configure (orcontrol) a state of the light receiving unit 612 (or a state of theambient light sensor 240K) as an ON state, an active state or ameasuring state that is a state capable of receiving light. In someembodiments, the processor 120 may identify whether the ambient lightsensor 240K will receive light by using the light receiving unit 612,through the sensor hub 242.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may sense ambient light of theelectronic device 101 by using the ambient light sensor 240K during afirst duration, in a state in which the display 260 is turned off, andidentify setting for being used for the ambient light sensor 240K, basedat least in part on a characteristic of the ambient light, and sense theambient light of the electronic device through the ambient light sensor240K during a second duration, based at least in part on the identifiedsetting, and control a function of the display 260, based at least inpart on the characteristic of the ambient light sensed during the secondduration.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may identify a first durationof time as a light measuring duration of the ambient light sensor inresponse to the characteristic of the received light satisfying thedesignated condition, and identify a second duration of time as thelight measuring duration in response to the characteristic notsatisfying the designated condition. The processor 120 may activate thelight receiving unit 612 of the ambient light sensor 240K during thefirst duration of time, and activate the light receiving unit 612 duringa part of the second duration of time, and inactivate the lightreceiving unit 612 during another part of the second duration of time.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may identify the setting (or aconfiguration mode or a setting mode) of the ambient light sensor 240K.The setting of the ambient light sensor 240K may include a firstconfiguration and/or a second configuration according to a time and/oroperation of receiving light through the ambient light sensor 240K. Forexample, the setting of the ambient light sensor 240K may include thefirst configuration of receiving, during a first duration, light of anenvironment where the electronic device 101 is located (or around theelectronic device 101), in a state in which the display 260 is turnedoff. For another example, the setting of the ambient light sensor 240Kmay include the second configuration of receiving light around theelectronic device 101 during a second duration. In the secondconfiguration, the light receiving unit 612 of the ambient light sensor240K may receive light during the second duration of time. The secondduration of time may include one or more first intervals and one or moresecond intervals. The one or more first intervals are part of the secondduration of time for which the light receiving unit 612 of the ambientlight sensor 240K operates in an active state, and the one or moresecond intervals are part of the second duration of time for which thelight receiving unit 612 of the ambient light sensor 240K operates in anidle state. In some embodiments, the setting of the ambient light sensor240K may include a third configuration (or mode) different from thesecond configuration, and receiving light during a third duration oftime during the second duration according to an illuminance measuredduring the first duration. In the third configuration, the lightreceiving unit 612 of the ambient light sensor 240K may be activatedduring the third duration of time, and receive light. In someembodiments, the third duration of time may correspond to a duration oftime of measuring light during the first duration of the firstconfiguration. A detailed description of the setting of the ambientlight sensor 240K will be made later.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may control the lightreceiving unit 612 of the ambient light sensor 240K, based on theidentified setting (or configuration mode or setting mode) of theambient light sensor 240K. For example, in the first configuration, theprocessor 120 may control the light receiving unit 612 to receive lightof an environment where the electronic device 101 is located during thefirst duration of time. For another example, in the secondconfiguration, the processor 120 may control the light receiving unit612 to receive light of an environment where the electronic device 101is located during the second duration of time. The processor 120 maycontrol to stop the operation of receiving the light after the secondduration of time. The second duration of time may include one or morefirst intervals in which the light receiving unit 612 of the ambientlight sensor 240K operates in an active state and one or more secondintervals in which the light receiving unit 612 of the ambient lightsensor 240K operates in an idle state. An integration of the firstintervals may correspond to the third duration of time of the thirdconfiguration. For further example, in the third configuration, theprocessor 120 may control the light receiving unit 612 to receive lightof an environment where the electronic device 101 is located during thethird duration of time.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may identify the configurationcorresponding to the environment where the electronic device 101 islocated among the first configuration, the second configuration or thethird configuration, as a configuration of the ambient light sensor240K. In some embodiments, the processor 120 may identify theconfiguration (or configuration mode or setting mode) of the ambientlight sensor 240K, based on a designated value. For example, the ambientlight sensor 240K may measure an illuminance, based on the firstconfiguration. In response to the measured illuminance being equal to orbeing greater than about 700 lux (1×) for example, the processor 120 mayidentify to change (convert) the setting of the ambient light sensor240K from the first configuration to the second configuration. Inresponse to the measured illuminance being less than about 700 1× forexample, the processor 120 may identify to change (convert) the settingof the ambient light sensor 240K from the first configuration to thethird configuration. In other some embodiments, the processor 120 mayidentify the setting of the ambient light sensor 240K through the sensorhub 242. The sensor hub 242 may include a supplementary processor, andmay replace and perform at least part of the operation of the processor120 of identifying the setting of the ambient light sensor 240K.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may receive a state signalfrom the display 260 through the signal pin 616 included in the ambientlight sensor 240K. The state signal may be transmitted from the display260 to the signal pin 616 through the signal pin 626. The state signalmay be transmitted to the processor 120 through the signal pin 616. Thestate signal may include a pulse signal related with a state of thepanel 262. In accordance with an embodiment, the state signal may bedenoted as a synchronization signal or a sync signal. Also, the signalpin may be denoted as a synchronization pin or a sync pin. The termsdenoting the state signal and the signal pin are not limited to thestatement of this specification.

The state signal may indicate data related with a screen displayedthrough the panel 262. The processor 120 may identify the state signalreceived through the signal pin 616. The processor 120 may identify astate of the light receiving unit 612, based on the state signal. Forexample, the state signal may indicate information about whether thescreen is in an active state. The processor 120 may determine oridentify a duration for which light scattered or outputted by the screendoes not affect the light receiving unit 612, based on the state signal.On the basis of the determining or identifying, the processor 120 mayidentify the activity or non-activity of the light receiving unit 612(or the state of the light receiving unit 612 or the setting of theambient light sensor 240K).

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may receive the state signalthrough the sensor hub 242. The sensor hub 242 may include asupplementary processor, and may replace and perform at least part of anoperation of the processor 120 related with the state signal.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may identify a state of thedisplay 260, and control the ambient light sensor 240K, based on theidentified state of the display 260. For example, the processor 120 mayreceive information related with the state of the display 260 throughthe DDI 268. In accordance with an embodiment, the processor 120 mayidentify the state of the display 260, based on the receivedinformation, and control a state of the ambient light sensor 240K, basedat least in part on the state of the display 260. In accordance with anembodiment, the processor 120 may identify the state of the display 260,based on the received information, and control the state of the ambientlight sensor 240K, through transmitting the information related with thestate of the display 260 to the sensor hub 242.

In various embodiments, the sensor hub 242 may be connected with theambient light sensor 240K. The processor 120 and the ambient lightsensor 240K may be associated by the sensor hub 242K. The sensor hub 242may include a supplementary processor. In some embodiments, theprocessor 120 may include the sensor hub 242. Within the processor 120,the sensor hub 242 may control at least part of an operation relatedwith the ambient light sensor 240K. In other some embodiments, thesensor hub 242 may be positioned outside the processor 120, and controlthe at least part of the operation related with the ambient light sensor240K.

In various embodiments, the sensor hub 242 may operate at low power (orlow power supply). For example, the sensor hub 242 may continuouslyoperate unlike other components activated or inactivated according to apower state of the electronic device 101. In accordance withembodiments, the sensor hub 242 may be denoted as a context hub, asupplementary processor, etc. The term denoting the sensor hub 242 isnot limited to the aforementioned example.

In various embodiments, the ambient light sensor 240K may include thelight receiving unit 612, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 614,and/or the signal pin 616.

The ambient light sensor 240K may be a component of the electronicdevice 101 for measuring an illuminance. In various embodiments, theambient light sensor 240K may sense various kinds of light. For example,the ambient light sensor 240K may sense visible light, infrared ray,ultra violet, etc. However, the kind of light that the ambient lightsensor 240K may sense is not limited to this.

In various embodiments, the ambient light sensor 240K may includevarious kinds of sensors that use an intensity of light. For example,the ambient light sensor 240K may include at least one of a proximitysensor, a spectrometer sensor and/or an ultraviolet (UV) sensor. Inaccordance with embodiments, the ambient light sensor 240K may be anoptical sensor unit.

In various embodiments, the ambient light sensor 240K may receive light,in order to measure, identify or obtain an illuminance of an environmentwhere the electronic device 101 is located. For example, the ambientlight sensor 240K may collect light of the environment where theelectronic device 101 is located, through the light receiving unit 612included in the ambient light sensor 240K.

In various embodiments, the light receiving unit 612 may receive lightwithin the environment where the electronic device 101 is located. Insome embodiments, a state of light of the environment where theelectronic device 101 is located may include a state in which anilluminance of the light satisfies a designated condition and a state inwhich the illuminance does not satisfy the designated condition. Forexample, the state of the light may include a state in which theilluminance is equal to or is greater than a designated value and astate in which the illuminance is less than the designated value.

In various embodiments, the light receiving unit 612 may collect lightaround the electronic device 101. The light receiving unit 612 mayobtain light scattered around the electronic device 101.

In various embodiments, the light receiving unit 612 may includechannels capable of measuring light. The light receiving unit 612 mayinclude a red (R) channel for receiving red-series light, a green (G)channel for receiving green-series light, a blue (B) channel forreceiving blue-series light, and a C channel for receiving white light.In some embodiments, the R channel, the G channel, the B channel, andthe C channel each may include elements capable of receiving light. Forexample, the R channel, the G channel, the B channel, and the C channeleach may include a photo diode capable of receiving visible light.

In various embodiments, the light receiving unit 612 may provide analogdata on light, based on the light received through the at least onechannel. In accordance with an embodiment, the analog data may bereceived every designated cycle, or may be received according to theoccurrence of a specific event.

In various embodiments, the ADC 614 may convert analog data into digitaldata. The ADC 614 and the light receiving unit 612 may be directlyconnected with each other within the ambient light sensor 240K, or maybe indirectly connected with each other through another component withinthe ambient light sensor 240K. The ADC 614 may receive the analog dataprovided through the light receiving unit 612. The analog data may bereceived every designated cycle, or may be received according to theoccurrence of a specific event. The ADC 614 may convert the receivedanalog data into digital data.

In various embodiments, the ADC 614 may directly or indirectly transmitor provide the converted digital data to the sensor hub 242. Inaccordance with an embodiment, the digital data may be transmitted everydesignated cycle, or may be transmitted according to the occurrence of aspecific event. The light receiving unit 612 and the ADC 614 will bedescribed later through FIG. 7 .

In various embodiments, the signal pin 616 may be connected with thesignal pin 626 of the display 260. The connection between the signal pin616 and the signal pin 626 may be wired connection, or may be wirelessconnection. A path between the signal pin 616 and the signal pin 626 maybe implemented through various connection interfaces. For example, thepath may be a mobile industry processor interface (MIPI), a mobiledisplay digital interface (MDDI), etc.

In various embodiments, the signal pin 616 and/or the signal pin 626 maybe included in a pin used for data transmission included within theelectronic device 101 or a pin for transmitting a control signal.

In various embodiments, the signal pin 616 and the signal pin 626 mayinclude a separate exclusive pin that is used for transmitting asynchronization signal (or sync signal) between the ambient light sensor240K and the display 260. In some embodiments, in response to theincluding of the exclusive pin of a use for transmitting thesynchronization signal between the ambient light sensor 240K and thedisplay 260, the ambient light sensor 240K may fast and accuratelyreceive a signal related with a change of a state of the display 260. Onthe basis of the received signal, the ambient light sensor 240K mayprecisely control an operation of the ambient light sensor 240K inrelation with the state of the display 260. In various embodiments, thesignal pin 616 may be used to receive a state signal from the display620. For example, the signal pin 616 may receive the state signal viathe signal pin 626 from the display 260. The state signal may indicateinformation for indicating the state of the display 260. The state ofthe display 260 may include an activated state (or a turn-on state or anemitting state) of a screen outputted through the panel 262 and aninactivated state (or a turn-off state, an idle state or non-emittingstate) of the screen outputted through the panel 262.

In some embodiments, the state signal may indicate information forindicating that a specified scanning line among a plurality of scanninglines is activated. The state signal may be received to the signal pin616 via the signal pin 626 of the display 260 from the display 260. Thesignal pin 616 may provide the state signal to the sensor hub 242connected with the ambient light sensor 240K.

In various embodiments, the display 260 may be a component of theelectronic device 101 for providing a screen. In various embodiments,the display 260 may be configured with various formats. For example, thedisplay 260 may include at least one of an organic light emitting diode(OLED), a quantum-dot light emitting diode (QLED) and/or a liquidcrystal display (LCD). The display 260 may correspond to the display 160of FIG. 1 .

In various embodiments, the display 260 may include the panel 262, thedisplay driver interface (DDI) 268 and the signal pin 626.

The display 260 may include the panel 262. In various embodiments, thepanel 262 may be divided into a plurality of pixels, a plurality of thinfilm transistors (TFTs), etc. The plurality of pixels may consist ofrows and columns. The pixel, the smallest unit capable of dividing ascreen, may indicate each small dot of the screen consisting of the rowsand the columns. The pixel may be denoted as a picture element.

In various embodiments, the panel 262 may display the screen, based onan operation of repeating an activation state and inactivation state ofthe panel 262, in a state in which the display 260 is activated. Thepanel 262 may display the screen, based on an operation of repeating anactivation state and inactivation state of a plurality of elements or aplurality of scanning lines included in the panel 262, in a state inwhich the display 260 is activated.

In various embodiments, the panel 262 may scatter or output light inorder to provide information. For example, the panel 262 may include aplurality of elements scattering or outputting light. The plurality ofelements may be grouped (or mapped) into a plurality of groups. In someembodiments, the plurality of elements may be grouped (or mapped) into aplurality of scanning lines which are arranged in a specific direction.For example, the display 260 may include the plurality of scanning linesof a B number including the plurality of elements of an A number. The Aand B may be configured variously according to a resolution of theelectronic device 101. In accordance with embodiments, the plurality ofelements may be denoted as a plurality of pixels or a plurality ofpicture elements as well.

In accordance with embodiments, at least one element included in a firstscanning line among the plurality of scanning lines scatters light at afirst timing and does not scatter light at a second timing, and at leastone element included in a second scanning line among the plurality ofscanning lines does not scatter light at the first timing, and mayscatter light at the second timing. In other words, by outputting lightby scanning line, the display 260 may refine the screen. A detaileddescription related with the scanning line will be made later throughFIG. 8 .

In various embodiments, the panel 262 may provide a state signal to thesignal pin 626, in response to at least some of the plurality ofelements of the panel 262 being activated. In some embodiments, thepanel 262 may provide the signal pin 626 with a state signal ofindicating that at least one of the plurality of elements of the panel262 is converted into an active state, or provide the signal pin 626with a state signal of indicating that at least one of the plurality ofelements of the panel 262 is converted into an inactive state. Forexample, the panel 262 may provide a state signal of indicating that aspecified scanning line among the plurality of scanning lines of thepanel 262 is converted into the active state, or provide a state signalof indicating that a specified scanning line among the plurality ofscanning lines of the panel 262 is converted into the inactive state.The state signal may be provided, based on that a component (e.g., aspecified scanning line or at least one element) included in the panel262 is provided with a power supply. In accordance with embodiments, thestate signal may be provided through the processor 120 and/or the DDI268.

In various embodiments, the display 260 may include the display driverinterface (DDI) 268. The DDI 268 may include a semiconductor forcontrolling the display 260.

In various embodiments, the DDI 268 may be connected with the panel 262through a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) or a film. In someembodiments, the DDI 268 may be configured independently of the panel262. In accordance with embodiments, the DDI 268 may control a signaland/or data related with an operation of the display 260. The DDI 268may control the display 260 to display an image, a video and/or and thelike within a screen displayed through the panel 262.

In various embodiments, the DDI 268 may control a luminance of a screendisplayed through the panel 262. For example, the DDI 268 may control acolor, brightness, etc. of the screen displayed through the panel 262,according to the control of the processor 120. For another example, theDDI 268 may configure a luminance of the panel 262 as a valuecorresponding to an illuminance identified through the ambient lightsensor 240K, according to the control of the processor 120. For furtherexample, the DDI 268 may control a duty ratio related with an ON/OFFrate of the screen according to the control of the processor 120. Theduty ratio may be a rate between an active duration and inactiveduration of the panel 262 within one period. For example, the duty ratiomay be a rate of a length of the one period and a length of the activeduration of the panel 262. The duty ratio and the luminance may be in aproportional relationship.

In various embodiments, the DDI 268 may control a screen displayedthrough the panel 262, through designated information or rule. Forexample, the DDI 268 may decrease or eliminate, for example, abrightness of blue light, in response to receiving a specified input.The input may be related with an indicator, a control window and/or apop-up window which is displayed on the screen outputted through thepanel 262. The user input may include a tap, a double tap, a drag,reception of a sound related signal, and/or the like.

In various embodiments, the signal pin 626 may provide the state signalto the processor 120 through the signal pin 616. The signal pin 626 mayprovide the state signal to the processor 120 through the signal pin616, in response to the specified scanning line or at least one elementbeing activated or inactivated. In some embodiments, the state signalmay be provided to the sensor hub 242. The provided state signal may beprovided to the processor 120 through the sensor hub 242.

As described above, the ambient light sensor 240K included in theelectronic device 101 according to various embodiments may receive light(or rays) of an environment where the electronic device 101 is located,during a first duration of time through the light receiving unit 612.Information about the received light may have an analog format. The ADC614 of the ambient light sensor 240K may convert the information aboutthe light into a digital format, and provide to the processor 120. Onthe basis of the provided information, the processor 120 may identify afirst illuminance of the light received during the first duration. Theprocessor 120 may identify the setting of the ambient light sensor 240K,based on the identified first illuminance. The setting may include oneor more of the first configuration, the second configuration, or thethird configuration. The processor 120 may control the ambient lightsensor 240K to operate according to the identified setting. For example,in response to the identified setting being the second configuration,the processor 120 may control the ambient light sensor 240K to receivelight during a second duration of time. The second duration of time mayinclude one or more active durations (or first intervals) during whichthe light receiving unit 612 operates in an active state (e.g., a statein which the light receiving unit 612 may receive light), and one ormore inactive durations (or second intervals) during which the lightreceiving unit 612 operates in an inactive state (e.g., a state in whichthe light receiving unit 612 does not receive light). The processor 120may identify a second illuminance of light received during the secondduration of time. The processor 120 may identify a luminance of thedisplay 260, based on information about the provided second illuminance.For example, the processor 120 may identify the luminance of the display260, by a value corresponding to the second illuminance. The processor120 may provide information about the identified luminance to thedisplay 260. The panel 262 may output a screen, based on the identifiedluminance. In some embodiments, the sensor hub 242 may replace at leastpart of an operation of the processor 120. The sensor hub 242 mayreceive the information about the illuminance from the ambient lightsensor 240K, and provide the information about the illuminance to theprocessor 120.

Meantime, the panel 262 of the display 260 may provide a state signal tothe signal pin 626, in response to one or more elements (e.g., one ormore elements included within a specified scanning line) among aplurality of elements scattering light being activated (or inactivated).The state signal may be received to the signal pin 616 through thesignal pin 626. The state signal received to the signal pin 616 may beprovided to the processor 120. The processor 120 may identify a timing(i.e., an activation initiation timing) at which the ambient lightsensor 240K (or the light receiving unit 612 of the ambient light sensor240K) is activated, based at least in part on a timing at which thestate signal is received. The processor 120 may control an operation ofthe ambient light sensor 240K, based at least in part on the identifiedtiming and a state of the identified ambient light sensor 240K. In someembodiments, the state signal may be provided to the processor 120through the sensor hub 242. The sensor hub 242 may replace and performat least part of an operation of the processor 120 of controlling theambient light sensor 240K.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a construction of an ambient lightsensor according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the ambient light sensor 240K may include thelight receiving unit 612 and the analog to digital converter (ADC) 614.In accordance with embodiments, the light receiving unit 612 may bedenoted as a measuring unit, a sensing unit, etc. In accordance withembodiments, the ADC 614 may be denoted as a converting unit, adetermining unit, an illuminance value converting unit, an ADC set, etc.

In various embodiments, the light receiving unit 612 may include a red(R) channel, a green (G) channel, a blue (B) channel, and/or a clear (C)channel. The B channel may be used to receive light (ray) of a 450 nmband, and the G channel may be used to receive light of a 550 nm band,and the R channel may be used to receive light of a 650 nm band, and theC channel may be used to receive visible light. The channels may includea plurality of measuring elements capable of measuring light.

In various embodiments, the plurality of measuring elements each mayinclude a photo diode.

In various embodiments, the light receiving unit 612 may provide datarelated with the illuminance, based on receiving light from a lightsource 710. The data related with the illuminance may be denoted as rawdata or analog data. The data related with the illuminance may include aR value indicating an intensity of light related with the R channel, a Gvalue indicating an intensity of light related with the G channel, a Bvalue indicating an intensity of light related with the B channel, or aC value indicating an intensity of light related with the C channel. TheR value, the G value, the B value and the C value may have mutuallydifferent intensities according to the type (e.g., halogen, anincandescent lamp, a fluorescent lamp, or natural light) of the lightsource 710 received through the light receiving unit 612.

In various embodiments, the light receiving unit 612 may provide thedata related with the illuminance to the ADC 614.

In various embodiments, the ADC 614 may receive the data related withthe illuminance from the light receiving unit 612. The ADC 614 mayconvert the data related with the illuminance into digital data. Forexample, the ADC 614 may convert at least one of the R value, G value, Bvalue or C value consisting of analog data, into the digital data. Thedigital data converted from the analog data may be provided to theprocessor 120 or the sensor hub 242 of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a scanning line included in a panel ofan electronic device and an operation of the scanning line according tovarious embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 8 , the panel 262 may include a plurality of elementswhich scatter or output light (or ray). In various embodiments, theplurality of elements may be disposed to be spaced apart in X-axis andY-axis directions. For example, the plurality of elements may bedisposed by an A number in the X-axis direction, and an N number in theY-axis direction.

In various embodiments, the plurality of elements may be grouped into aplurality of sets. For example, the plurality of sets each may includeone or more elements disposed in the X-axis direction. In response tothe number of the plurality of elements being an A×N number (i.e., the Anumber in the X-axis direction, and the N number in the Y-axisdirection), the number of one or more elements disposed in the X-axisdirection may be the A number. For another example, the plurality ofsets each may include one or more elements disposed in the Y-axisdirection. In response to the number of the plurality of elements beingN×A (i.e., the N number in the X-axis direction, and the A number in theY-axis direction), the number of one or more elements disposed in theY-axis direction may be the A number. In accordance with embodiments,the plurality of sets may be denoted as a plurality of scanning lines810.

The plurality of elements included in the plurality of scanning lines810 may be turned on/off in various schemes. For example, the pluralityof elements included in the plurality of scanning lines 810 may beturned on or turned off in sequence from an A number of elementsincluded in a scanning line 810-1 to an A number of elements included ina scanning line 810-N. The panel 262 may display a screen, based on thatthe elements included in each of the plurality of scanning lines areturned on or turned off. The elements may be turned on or turned off,based on a designated cycle. The designated cycle may be changedadaptively according to one or more of the type of a screen displayedthrough the panel 262, the standard of the panel 262, or a configurationof the panel 262.

In various embodiments, the panel 262 may provide a state signal to thesignal pin 626 of the display 260, in response to elements included in aspecified or designated scanning line 810-k among the plurality ofscanning lines 810 being turned on or turned off. The state signal mayindicate that the specified scanning line 810-k is turned on or turnedoff. The state signal may be transmitted to the signal pin 616 of theambient light sensor 240K through the signal pin 626. The signal pin 616may provide the state signal to the sensor hub 242.

The sensor hub 242 may identify an active timing of the ambient lightsensor 240K, based on a reception timing of the provided state signal.In other words, the ambient light sensor 240K may operate in an activestate during a duration corresponding to the setting of the ambientlight sensor 240K from the active timing. In some embodiments, inresponse to the setting of the ambient light sensor 240K being the firstconfiguration, the ambient light sensor 240K may receive light aroundthe electronic device 101 during the first duration of time from theidentified active timing. In other some embodiments, in response to thesetting of the ambient light sensor 240K being the second configuration,the ambient light sensor 240K may receive light around the electronicdevice 101 during the second duration of time from the identified activetiming. The second duration of time may include one or more activedurations and one or more inactive durations. For example, in responseto the setting of the ambient light sensor 240K being the secondconfiguration, the ambient light sensor 240K may receive light aroundthe electronic device 101 during the second duration of time includingthe one or more active durations and one or more inactive durations. Infurther other some embodiments, in response to the setting of theambient light sensor 240K being the third configuration, the ambientlight sensor 240K may receive light around the electronic device 101during the third duration of time from the identified timing. The thirdduration of time may correspond to the first duration of time.

As described above, by providing the state signal to the sensor hub 242through the signal pin 626 and the signal pin 616 in response to thespecified scanning line 810-k being activated or inactivated, the panel262 may synchronize the ambient light sensor 240K and the panel 262.Through the synchronization, the electronic device 101 controls anoperation of the ambient light sensor 240K according to an operationstate of the panel 262, thereby being capable of preventing lightrelated with a plurality of elements within the panel 262 from affectingan illuminance measured by the ambient light sensor 240K.

In various embodiments, the electronic device 101 may include thedisplay 260, the ambient light sensor 240K disposed in at least apartial region of the display 260 or beneath the display 260, and/or atleast one processor (e.g., the processor 120 and/or the sensor hub 242).The at least one processor may be configured to sense ambient light ofthe electronic device 101 by using the ambient light sensor 240K duringa first duration in a state in which the display 260 is turned off, andidentify the setting of the ambient light sensor 240K, based at least inpart on a characteristic of the ambient light, and sense ambient lightof the electronic device 101 through the ambient light sensor 240Kduring a second duration, based at least in part on the identifiedsetting of the ambient light sensor 240K, and control a function of thedisplay 260 of the electronic device 101, based at least in part on acharacteristic of the ambient light sensed during the second duration.

In various embodiments, the electronic device 101 may include thedisplay 260 comprised of at least one or more pixels, and the ambientlight sensor 240K integrated into at least a partial region of thedisplay 260. The ambient light sensor 240K may be configured to measurefirst ambient light of the electronic device 101 in a state in which theat least one or more pixels are turned off, and measure second ambientlight of the electronic device 101 at a first period of time in responseto the first ambient light satisfying a designated condition, andmeasure the second ambient light at a second period of time, based atleast on state signals of the at least one or more pixels, in responseto the first ambient light not satisfying the designated condition.

In various embodiments, the electronic device 101 may include theambient light sensor 240K including one or more light receiving units(e.g., the light receiving unit 612) configured to receive light, thedisplay 260, and/or one or more processors (e.g., the processor 120and/or the sensor hub 242) coupled to the display 260 and the ambientlight sensor 240K. The one or more processors may be configured tocontrol to sense light during a first duration of time through theambient light sensor 240K, and control to receive light during a secondduration of time longer than the first duration of time through theambient light sensor 240K in response to identifying that a firstilluminance of the light received during the first duration of time is adesignated condition (or a reference illuminance or designatedilluminance), and control to identify a luminance of a screen outputtedthrough the display 260 as a value corresponding to a second illuminanceof the light received during the second duration of time, and displaythe screen, based on the identified luminance. The second duration oftime may include one or more first intervals (or a part of the secondduration of time) during which the light receiving unit of the ambientlight sensor 240K operates in an active state, and one or more secondintervals (or another part of the second duration of time) during whichthe light receiving unit of the ambient light sensor 240K operates in anidle state.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an operation for measuring light by anambient light sensor according to various embodiments.

In operation 910, the processor 120 may control the ambient light sensor240K of the electronic device 101 to sense ambient light (or ray) of theelectronic device 101 during the first duration. The ambient lightsensor 240K of the electronic device 101 may sense the ambient light ofthe electronic device 101 during the first duration.

In various embodiments, the ambient light sensor 240K may sense ambientlight of the electronic device 101 during the first duration, in a statein which a screen displayed through the panel 262 is turned off. Theambient light sensor 240K receives light around the electronic device101 in a state in which the screen is turned off and therefore, thelight received to the ambient light sensor 240K may not include lightscattered through the screen. In other words, the ambient light sensor240K may receive the light around the electronic device 101 in a stateof not being affected by the screen.

In various embodiments, the light may include light related with anenvironment in which the electronic device 101 is located. In someembodiments, the light may include light scattered from anotherelectronic device around the electronic device 101. In otherembodiments, the light may include visible light, infrared rays,ultraviolet rays, etc. The light is not limited to the aforementionedexample, and may include a variety of light coming out from a lightsource.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may receive information aboutthe light through the ambient light sensor 240K, and identify receivedvarious information about the light. For example, the processor 120 mayidentify information related with a brightness and/or intensity of thecollected light, a direction of the collected light, an incident angleof the collected light, a color of the collected light, a shadow of thecollected light and/or a variation of the collected light.

In various embodiments, in response to the screen displayed through thepanel 262 maintaining a turn-off state, the ambient light sensor 240Kmay continuously receive light around the electronic device 101.

In various embodiments, in response to the screen displayed through thepanel 262 being turned off, other components included in the display 260may operate in an activated state. For example, in response to aplurality of elements within the panel 262 operating in an inactivestate, the touch panel 252 included in the display 260 may operate in anactive state.

In various embodiments, the ambient light sensor 240K may operate basedon a designated cycle. The designated cycle may include an activeduration during which the ambient light sensor 240K operates in anactive state, and an inactive duration during which the ambient lightsensor 240K operates in an inactive state.

In various embodiments, a cycle of the ambient light sensor 240K may beconfigured differently according to the setting of the ambient lightsensor 240K. In some embodiments, in response to the setting of theambient light sensor 240K being the first configuration, the cycle ofthe ambient light sensor 240K may include the active durationcorresponding to the first duration of time and the inactive durationhaving a shorter length than the first duration of time. For example, alength of the active duration may be 30 milliseconds (ms), and a lengthof the inactive duration may be 1 ms. In other some embodiments, inresponse to the setting of the ambient light sensor 240K being thesecond configuration, the cycle of the ambient light sensor 240K mayinclude an active duration corresponding to a second duration of timeand an inactive duration having a shorter length than the secondduration of time. For example, the length of the active duration may be1 ms, and the length of the inactive duration may be 1 ms. In responseto the setting of the ambient light sensor 240K being the secondconfiguration, the second duration may include the cycle of the ambientlight sensor 240K in plural. In other words, the length of the secondduration of time may be a multiple of the cycle of the ambient lightsensor 240K. In response to the ambient light sensor 240K operating inthe second configuration, the ambient light sensor 240K may repeatedlyperform an operation of receiving light and an operation of notreceiving light.

In various embodiments, the ambient light sensor 240K may sense lightaround the electronic device 101 through the light receiving unit 612.Through the sensing, the light receiving unit 612 may provide analogdata about the light. In some embodiments, the light receiving unit 612may transmit the provided analog data to the ADC 614. The ADC 614 mayreceive the analog data. The ADC 614 may provide digital data convertedfrom the analog data.

In various embodiments, the digital data may be transmitted to thesensor hub 242. The processor 120 may identify an illuminance of lightaround the electronic device 101, based on the received digital data.

In operation 920, the processor 120 may identify the setting of theambient light sensor 240K, based on the illuminance of light receivedduring the first duration, in a state in which the display 260 is turnedoff.

The processor 120 may identify the setting of the ambient light sensor240K as the second configuration of receiving light during the secondduration of time, based on that the display 260 operates in an activestate and the illuminance of light around the electronic device 101satisfies a designated condition. The designated condition may berelated with a level of the illuminance of light around the electronicdevice 101 received during the first duration. For example, in responseto the display 260 operating in an active state, and the illuminancemeasured in operation 910 being less than a reference illuminance, theprocessor 120 may identify the setting of the ambient light sensor 240Kas the second configuration. The ambient light sensor 240K operating inthe second configuration may receive light during a plurality of activedurations included in the second duration, and stop receiving light in aplurality of inactive durations included in the second duration of time.In other words, the ambient light sensor 240K operating in the secondconfiguration may repeat and perform, at many times, during the secondduration of time, an operation of receiving light during an activeduration and an operation of stopping receiving light during an inactiveduration. In some embodiments, an integration of the plurality of activedurations included in the second duration of time may correspond to aduration of time of receiving light around the electronic device 101from the first duration. By receiving light around the electronic device101 during the plurality of active durations which have a lengthcorresponding to the duration of time receiving light around theelectronic device 101 from the first duration, the ambient light sensor240K may secure a reliability of the measured illuminance.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may identify the setting ofthe ambient light sensor 240K to receive light during the third durationof time, based on that the display 260 operates in the active state andthe illuminance of light around the electronic device 101 does notsatisfy the designated condition. For example, in response to thedisplay 260 operating in the active state, and the illuminance measuredin operation 910 being equal to or being greater than the referenceilluminance, the processor 120 may identify the setting of the ambientlight sensor 240K as the third configuration. In accordance withembodiments, the third duration of time may correspond to variousdurations of time. The various durations of time may be a previouslydesignated value. For example, the third duration of time may correspondto a duration of time of measuring light around the electronic device101 during the first duration. For another example, the third durationof time may not correspond to a duration of time of measuring lightaround the electronic device 101 during the first duration. The thirdduration of time may correspond to a duration longer or shorter than aduration of time of measuring light around the electronic device 101during the first duration.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may change the setting of theambient light sensor 240K, based on information related with a state ofa screen displayed through the panel 262. For example, in response to astate of the panel 262 converting from an idle state (or inactive state)into an active state, the processor 120 may change the setting of theambient light sensor 240K from the first configuration to the secondconfiguration or from the first configuration to the thirdconfiguration.

In various embodiments, in response to receiving a state signal from thepanel 262 through the signal pin 616 and the signal pin 626, theprocessor 120 may identify an operation timing of the ambient lightsensor 240K. For example, the processor 120 may identify an activationinitiation timing of the ambient light sensor 240K as a reception timingof the state signal. The processor 120 may control the ambient lightsensor 240K to receive light around the electronic device 101 during aduration (e.g. the second duration of time or the third duration oftime) corresponding to the setting of the ambient light sensor 240K fromthe identified initiation timing. For another example, the processor 120may identify the operation timing of the ambient light sensor 240K as atiming elapsing a designated duration from the reception timing of thestate signal. The designated duration may be related with a duration forwhich one or more elements around the ambient light sensor 240K among aplurality of elements within the panel 262 are not activated. Thedesignated duration may be used for identifying a duration for whichlight scattered from the plurality of elements within the panel 262 hasless influence on the ambient light sensor 240K. The designated durationmay be identified based on an active timing of one or more elements(e.g., one or more elements included within a specified scanning line)spaced apart less than a reference distance from the ambient lightsensor 240K. The designated duration may be related with distancesbetween a position in which the ambient light sensor 240K is disposedand positions of one or more elements within the panel 262 used forproviding the state signal. A detailed description related with thiswill be made later through FIG. 11 .

In some embodiments, the processor 120 may identify a timing ofinitiating an operation of the ambient light sensor 240K, based on a gapof a respective plurality of scanning lines within the panel 262, anemitting duration of a specified scanning line among the plurality ofscanning lines, a position of the ambient light sensor 240K, and/or asize of the ambient light sensor 240K. In other some embodiments, theprocessor 120 may identify a timing of initiating an operation of theambient light sensor 240K through the sensor hub 242. A detaileddescription related with this will be made later through FIG. 14 to FIG.16 .

In operation 930, the ambient light sensor 240K may sense light aroundthe electronic device 101 during the second duration, based at least inpart on the identified setting of the ambient light sensor 240K.

In various embodiments, in response to the illuminance of the lightsensed through operation 910 being equal to or greater than thedesignated value, in operation 920, the processor 120 may identify thesetting of the ambient light sensor 240K as the third configuration (ora configuration mode, a sensing mode, or a setting mode). The processor120 may control the ambient light sensor 240K to sense light during thethird duration of time during the second duration. For example, a lengthof the third duration of time may correspond to a length of a durationof time of measuring light around the electronic device 101 during thefirst duration.

In various embodiments, in response to the illuminance of the lightsensed through operation 910 being less than the designated value, inoperation 920, the processor 120 may change the setting of the ambientlight sensor 240K into the second configuration. The processor 120 maycontrol the ambient light sensor 240K to sense light during the thirdduration of time, during the second duration. The ambient light sensor240K may measure light around the electronic device 101 during thesecond duration of time during the second duration. For example, thesecond duration of time may include a plurality of active durations(e.g., 30 in number) having a length of 1 ms and a plurality of inactivedurations configured between the plurality of active durations andhaving a length of 1 ms. An integration of the plurality of activedurations may correspond to the first duration of the firstconfiguration. In some embodiments, the processor 120 may control theambient light sensor 240K to stop an operation of sensing light after adesignated duration elapses from the second duration.

In various embodiments, the panel 262 may display a screen, based on anoperation of repeating an active duration and inactive duration of thepanel 262, in a state in which the display 260 is activated. An activeduration of the second duration of time may correspond to the inactiveduration of the panel 262. An inactive duration of the second durationof time may correspond to the active duration of the panel 262. That is,the ambient light sensor 240K may repeat the inactive duration and theactive duration, based on an operation in which the panel 262 repeatsthe active duration and the inactive duration for the sake of thedisplaying of the screen. The ambient light sensor 240K may sense lightaround the electronic device 101, based on the repeated activedurations, and identify an illuminance related with the light.

In various embodiments, information about the light sensed by theambient light sensor 240K may be provided to the processor 120. Theprocessor 120 may identify an illuminance of the light, based on theinformation about the light. In some embodiments, the information aboutlight sensed by the ambient light sensor 240K may be provided to theprocessor 120 through the sensor hub 242.

In operation 940, the processor 120 may control a function of thedisplay 260, based on the information about the illuminance. Theprocessor 120 may be provided with the information about the illuminancefrom the sensor hub 242. The processor 120 may identify a luminance (orbrightness) outputted through the panel 262, based on at least in parton the provided information about the illuminance. For example, theprocessor 120 may identify the luminance as a value corresponding to theilluminance.

The processor 120 may provide information about the identified luminanceto the display 260. In various embodiments, the processor 120 mayprovide the information about the identified luminance to the DDI 268 ofthe display 260. The information about the identified luminance may beused for controlling the setting of the display 260 or the setting ofthe panel 262 of the display 260. For example, the information about theidentified luminance may be control information for controlling abrightness of a screen outputted through the panel 262.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may identify a luminance of ascreen that is being displayed (i.e., a screen that is currently beingdisplayed) through the panel 262. The processor 120 may identify whetherto change the luminance of the screen that is being displayed throughthe panel 262, based on the information about the identified luminanceand the illuminance received through the sensor hub 242. For example, inresponse to it being identified that a brightness of light around theelectronic device 101 is greater than a brightness of the screen, theprocessor 120 may control the panel 262 so as to increase the brightnessof the screen. Through this operation, the panel 262 may provide ascreen having a high visibility.

FIG. 10 illustrates another example of an operation for measuring lightaround an electronic device according to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 10 , in operation 1010, the ambient light sensor 240Kof the electronic device 101 may receive ambient light of the electronicdevice 101 during a first duration.

In various embodiments, the ambient light sensor 240K may receive theambient light (or rays) of the electronic device 101 during the firstduration, in a state in which the panel 262 of the display 260 is turnedoff. The ambient light sensor 240K may receive light around theelectronic device 101 in a state of not being affected by the panel 262.For example, the ambient light sensor 240K may receive light around theelectronic device 101 during the first duration having a length of 30ms, in a state in which the panel 262 is turned off. The light mayinclude information related with an environment in which the electronicdevice 101 is located. The information may include information relatedwith a brightness and/or intensity of the received light, a receptiondirection of the light, an incident angle of the received light, a colorof the received light, a shadow of the received light and/or a change ofthe received light.

In various embodiments, the information may be transmitted from theambient light sensor 240K to the ADC 614. The ADC 614 may convertinformation having an analog format into digital data having a digitalformat. The ADC 614 may transmit the digital data to the sensor hub 242.The processor 120 may receive information related with the light. Theprocessor 120 may identify an illuminance of the light, based on thereceived information related with the light. The processor 120 mayidentify the illuminance of the light received during the firstduration, as a first illuminance. In some embodiments, the sensor hub242 may replace and perform at least part of an operation related withthe light that the processor 120 performs.

In operation 1020, the processor 120 may identify whether a state of thepanel 262 is converted. The processor 120 may identify whether the panel262 is converted from a turn-off state (or idle state) to a turn-onstate. The turn-off state of the panel 262 may include a state in whicha screen is not displayed through the panel 262. The turn-on state ofthe panel 262 may include a state in which the screen is displayedthrough the panel 262. The panel 262 may display the screen through anoperation in which a plurality of elements included in the panel 262repeat an activated state and an inactivated state. In some embodiments,the processor 120 may identify the state of the panel 262 through thesensor hub 242.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may identify the state of thepanel 262, by monitoring a signal inputted or outputted to the panel262. The processor 120 may provide the sensor hub 242 with informationrelated with the state of the panel 262. The sensor hub 242 may identifywhether the state of the panel 262 has been converted, based on theprovided information related with the state of the panel 262.

In other some embodiments, the DDI 268 of the display 260 may transmit asignal related with a state of the screen, to the signal pin 616included in the ambient light sensor 240K, through the signal pin 616 ofthe display 260. In response to the state of the screen displayedthrough the display 260 being converted, the DDI 268 may transmit thesignal related with the state of the screen, to the signal pin 616. Forexample, the signal related with the state of the screen may be a statesignal. The signal related with the state of the screen may indicateinformation for indicating the state of the screen (e.g., data forindicating that one or more elements within the panel 262 are activated,or data for indicating that a specified scanning line within the panel262 is activated). The panel 262 may include one or more scanning lineswhich may affect the ambient light sensor 240K. In response to states ofthe one or more scanning lines being changed, the DDI 268 may identifythe states of the scanning lines. The DDI 268 may provide a signalrelated with the states of the one or more scanning lines (e.g., a statesignal related with the one or more scanning lines), to the processor120. In some embodiments, the scanning lines may be arrayed in a Y-axisdirection. For example, in response to a change of a state of a scanningline (or any scanning line) that is at the uppermost end of the scanninglines, the DDI 268 may provide the signal related with the state of thescreen, to the processor 120. The processor 120 may identify whether thestate of the panel 262 is converted, based on whether the processor 120receives the signal related with the state of the screen. For anotherexample, the DDI 268 may provide the signal related with the state ofthe screen, to the processor 120, through the sensor hub 242. The sensorhub 242 may replace and perform at least part of an operation of theprocessor 120.

In response to the state of the panel 262 being maintained (or inresponse to the state of the panel 262 not being converted), the ambientlight sensor 240K may continuously perform operation 1010. For example,in response to the state of the panel 262 being maintained as a turn-offstate, the processor 120 may control the ambient light sensor 240K toperform operation 1010. Unlike this, in response to the state of thepanel 262 being converted from the turn-off state to the turn-on state,the sensor hub 242 may perform operation 1030.

In operation 1030, in response to the state of the panel 262 beingconverted into the turn-on state, the processor 120 may identify whetherthe illuminance of the light received during the first durationsatisfies a designated condition. In various embodiments, the sensor hub242 may receive information about the light received during the firstduration, and may identify the illuminance of the light, based on thereceived information. For example, the sensor hub 242 may compare theidentified illuminance and a reference illuminance. The referenceilluminance may be stored in the electronic device 101 (or the memory130 or 230). In some embodiments, the reference illuminance may be afixed value. In other some embodiments, the reference illuminance may bechanged adaptively according to one or more of an environment in whichthe electronic device 101 is located or a state of the electronic device101 as well.

In various embodiments, while the panel 262 operates in a turn-on state,the panel 262 may display a screen, based on repeating an activatedstate and an inactivated state. In some embodiments, the panel 262 mayinclude one or more scanning lines. While the panel 262 operates in theturn-on state, the one or more scanning lines may display the screen,based on repeating the activated state and the inactivated state.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may control the ambient lightsensor 240K to change the setting of the ambient light sensor 240K (or aduration during which the ambient light sensor 240K receives light),based on the comparison result. For example, the processor 120 maycontrol the ambient light sensor 240K to operate in the secondconfiguration, or control the ambient light sensor 240K to receive lightduring a second duration including a plurality of activated durationsand a plurality of inactivated durations. In other some embodiments, onthe basis of the comparison result, the processor 120 may control theambient light sensor 240K to change the setting of the ambient lightsensor 240K (or a duration during which the ambient light sensor 240Kreceives (or senses) light). For example, the processor 120 may controlthe ambient light sensor 240K to operate in the third configuration, orcontrol the ambient light sensor 240K to receive light during a thirdduration having a length corresponding to the first duration.

In response to the illuminance of the light received during the firstduration of time satisfying the designated condition, the ambient lightsensor 240K may perform operation 1040. For example, in response to theilluminance of the light received during the first duration of timesatisfying the designated condition, the processor 120 may control theambient light sensor 240K to perform operation 1040. Unlike this, inresponse to the illuminance of the light received during the firstduration of time not satisfying the designated condition, the ambientlight sensor 240K may perform operation 1050. For example, in responseto the illuminance of the light received during the first duration oftime not satisfying the designated condition, the processor 120 maycontrol the ambient light sensor 240K to perform operation 1050.

In operation 1040, in response to the illuminance of the light receivedduring the first duration of time satisfying the designated condition,the ambient light sensor 240K may receive light during a second durationof time. The second duration of time may include one or more firstintervals (or part of the second duration of time) for which the lightreceiving unit 612 of the ambient light sensor 240K operates in anactive state, and one or more second intervals (or another part of thesecond duration of time) for which the light receiving unit 612 of theambient light sensor 240K operates in an idle state (or inactive state).An integration of the one or more first intervals may correspond to thefirst duration. The second intervals may be configured between the firstintervals. In other words, the ambient light sensor 240K may repeatedlyperform an operation of receiving light at a first interval during thesecond duration and an operation of stopping receiving light at a secondinterval. An integration of the first interval and the second intervalmay be equal to or be longer than the first duration of time.

The ambient light sensor 240K may transmit information about the lightreceived during the second duration, to the sensor hub 242 through theADC 614. The sensor hub 242 may receive the information about the light.The sensor hub 242 may identify a second illuminance, based on thereceived information. The sensor hub 242 may transmit information aboutthe identified second illuminance to the processor 120. The processor120 may receive the information about the second illuminance.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may identify a timing (or anoperation initiation timing) for initiating an operation in which theambient light sensor 240K receives light, based on the information (orstate signal) related with the state of the screen. The informationrelated with the state of the screen may be received in operation 1020,or be received in response to a state of the display 260 being changed.The processor 120 may control the ambient light sensor 240K to receivelight around the electronic device 101 during a second duration, basedon the identified timing. For example, the ambient light sensor 240K mayreceive the light during the second duration from the identified timing.For another example, the ambient light sensor 240K may receive the lightduring the second duration from a timing elapsing a designated durationfrom the identified timing. An initiation timing of the first intervalmay correspond to the identified timing.

In various embodiments, the state signal may be received in response tothe first scanning line among one or more scanning lines affecting theambient light sensor 240K being activated (or turned on). The processor120 may store information related with a timing at which the scanninglines are turned off, based on the configuration of the electronicdevice 101. The processor 120 may identify a timing at which one or morescanning lines affecting the ambient light sensor 240K are turned off,based on the state signal and the information about the timing at whichthe scanning lines are turned off. On the basis of the identifiedtiming, the processor 120 may identify a timing at which the ambientlight sensor 240K initiates an operation so as to receive light aroundthe electronic device 101. In response to the identified timing, theambient light sensor 240K may receive light during a second duration.The second duration may include one or more first intervals for whichthe light receiving unit 612 of the ambient light sensor 240K operatesin an active state. An initiation timing of the first interval maycorrespond to the timing of initiating the operation. In someembodiments, the sensor hub 242 may replace at least part of anoperation of the processor 120.

In operation 1050, in response to the illuminance of the light receivedduring the first duration of time not satisfying the designatedcondition, the ambient light sensor 240K may receive light during athird duration of time. For example, the sensor hub 242 may identifythat the illuminance (or first illuminance) of the light received duringthe first duration of time is less than the reference illuminance. Inresponse to the identifying, the processor 120 may control the ambientlight sensor 240K to receive the light during the third duration oftime. In some embodiments, the third duration of time may correspond tothe first duration of time. The ambient light sensor 240K may provideinformation about the light received during the third duration of time,to the sensor hub 242. The processor 120 may receive the informationabout the received light. The processor 120 may identify a thirdilluminance, based on the received information. The processor 120 mayreceive information about the illuminance.

In operation 1060, the processor 120 may identify a luminance of ascreen displayed through the panel 262 of the display 260, based on anilluminance of the received light.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may identify the luminance ofthe screen outputted through the panel 262, based on a secondilluminance received through operation 1040. The luminance of the screenmay correspond to the second illuminance. For example, in response tothe second illuminance being greater than an illuminance correspondingto a current luminance of the screen, the processor 120 may identify theluminance of the screen as a value higher than the current luminance.For another example, in response to the second illuminance being lessthan the illuminance corresponding to the current luminance of thescreen, the processor 120 may identify the luminance of the screen as avalue lower than the current luminance. For further example, in responseto the second illuminance being equal (or corresponding) to theilluminance corresponding to the current luminance of the screen, theprocessor 120 may maintain the luminance of the screen as the currentluminance.

In some embodiments, the processor 120 may identify the luminance of thescreen outputted through the display 260, based on the third illuminanceprovided through operation 1050. The identified luminance of the screenmay correspond to the third illuminance. For example, in response to thethird illuminance being greater than the illuminance corresponding tothe current luminance of the screen, the processor 120 may identify theluminance of the screen as the value higher than the current luminance.For another example, in response to the third illuminance being lessthan the illuminance corresponding to the current luminance of thescreen, the processor 120 may identify the luminance of the screen asthe value lower than the current luminance. For further example, inresponse to the third illuminance being equal (or corresponding) to theilluminance corresponding to the luminance of the screen, the processor120 may maintain the luminance of the screen as the current luminance.

In operation 1070, the processor 120 may display the screen outputtedthrough the panel 262 of the display 260, based on the identifiedluminance. The processor 120 may transmit information about theidentified luminance to the DDI 268 included in the display 260. The DDI268 may control a brightness of the screen displayed through the panel262, based on the received information about the luminance.

As described above, the electronic device 101 according to variousembodiments may identify the setting of the ambient light sensor 240K,based on a state of the panel 262 included in the display 260 and astate of light of an environment in which the electronic device 101 islocated. By controlling the ambient light sensor 240K based on theidentified setting, the electronic device 101 may acquire informationrelated with the light of the environment in which the electronic device101 is located. By changing the setting of the ambient light sensor 240Kadaptively based on the state of the panel 262 and the state of light ofthe environment in which the electronic device 101 is located, theelectronic device 101 may decrease an illuminance measurement errorwhich may occur due to light caused by the panel 262.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of an operation for identifying thesetting of an ambient light sensor included in an electronic deviceaccording to various embodiments. FIG. 11 illustrates operation 920 ofFIG. 9 in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 11 , in operation 1110, the processor 120 may identifywhether an illuminance of light measured through the ambient lightsensor 240K is equal to or is greater than a designated value (or athreshold value, a designated illuminance or a predeterminedilluminance).

In various embodiments, the illuminance may be a value identifiedthrough the ambient light sensor 240K. The illuminance may correspond toinformation about light (or rays) around the electronic device 101. Insome embodiments, the designated value may be identified based on adegree of influence that an emitting state of a screen displayed throughthe panel 262 has on the ambient light sensor 240K. The designated valuemay be a value preset to the sensor hub 242. For example, the processor120 may identify whether an illuminance measured through the ambientlight sensor 240K is equal to or is greater than 700 lux (1×). Inresponse to the measured illuminance being equal to or being greaterthan the designated value, the processor 120 may perform operation 1120.Unlike this, in response to the measured illuminance being less than thedesignated value, the processor 120 may perform operation 1130.

In operation 1120, the processor 120 may identify an operation mode ofthe sensor hub 242 as the third configuration (i.e., a configurationmode, a sensing mode or a setting mode). A detailed description of thethird configuration will be made through FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B.

In various embodiments, in response to the setting of the ambient lightsensor 240K being the third configuration, the ambient light sensor 240Kmay receive light around the electronic device 101 during a thirdduration. The ambient light sensor 240K may perform the operation ofreceiving the light irrespective of a state of the display 260 (e.g., anon/off state of the display 260). In some embodiments, the thirdduration may correspond to the first duration of operation 910 of FIG. 9. In other words, in response to the measured illuminance being equal toor being greater than the designated value, the ambient light sensor240K may maintain an operation of receiving light around the electronicdevice 101 during the first duration.

In other some embodiments, the third duration may be different from thefirst duration of operation 1010 of FIG. 10 . For example, the ambientlight sensor 240K may receive light around the electronic device 101during the third duration (e.g., 40 ms) different from the firstduration (e.g., a length of 30 ms).

In operation 1130, in response to the measured illuminance being lessthan the designated value, the processor 120 may identify a mode of theambient light sensor 240K as a second mode.

In various embodiments, in response to the ambient light sensor 240Koperating in the second mode, the ambient light sensor 240K may receivelight during a second duration longer than the first duration being aduration of receiving light in the first mode. The second duration mayinclude one or more first intervals for which the light receiving unit612 operates in an active state and one or more second intervals forwhich the light receiving unit 612 operates in an idle state.

In operation 1140, the processor 120 may identify an initiation timingof the mode identified through operation 1120 or operation 1130. Theinitiation timing may be identified, based on a state signal transmittedfrom the signal pin 626 of the display 260 to the signal pin 616 of theambient light sensor 240K. The state signal may indicate informationrelated with an active state and/or inactive state of the panel 262. Ina state in which the display 260 is turned on, the panel 262 may repeatan active state and an inactive state so as to display a screen. Thestate signal may indicate a timing at which the panel 262 operates inthe active state. The state signal may be transmitted from the signalpin 626 to the signal pin 616 at the timing at which the panel 262operates in the active state.

A detailed description of the second configuration will be made laterthrough FIG. 13A, FIG. 13B, FIG. 14 , and FIG. 15 .

FIG. 12A illustrates an example of an operation of an ambient lightsensor included in an electronic device according to variousembodiments.

Referring to FIG. 12A, in operation 1210, the processor 120 may identifya timing at which the ambient light sensor 240K initiates an operationfor receiving light (rays) around the electronic device 101. Theprocessor 120 may identify whether to initiate the operation forreceiving the light, based on a state of the display 260. In someembodiments, by monitoring a timer for identifying an operation state ofthe ambient light sensor 240K, the processor 120 may identify whether toinitiate the operation for receiving the light. In other someembodiments, the processor 120 may receive information or signal relatedto the state of the display 260 from the display 260 through the signalpin 616 included in the ambient light sensor 240K. The processor 120 mayidentify the operation initiation timing of the ambient light sensor240K, based on the received information or signal. The processor 120 mayidentify whether to initiate the operation for receiving the light,based on the identified operation initiation timing. In further othersome embodiments, the sensor hub 242 may replace and perform at leastpart of an operation of the processor 120.

In operation 1220, in response to identifying the initiating of theoperation for receiving the light, the ambient light sensor 240K mayreceive light during a third duration. The third duration may correspondto a first duration of operation 1010 of FIG. 10 . The third durationmay be a designated value. For example, the third duration may bedesignated as 30 ms. In various embodiments, the processor 120 mayreceive information about the light from the ambient light sensor 240K,based on the received light. The processor 120 may identify anilluminance related with the light, based on the received information.In some embodiments, the sensor hub 242 may replace and perform at leastpart of an operation of the processor 120.

FIG. 12B illustrates an example of the setting of the ambient lightsensor 240K included in an electronic device according to variousembodiments.

In FIG. 12B, the setting of the ambient light sensor 240K may correspondto the first configuration or the third configuration.

Referring to FIG. 12B, graph 1230 may indicate a state of a screendisplayed through the panel 262 of the display 260. Graph 1230 mayindicate an operation in which a plurality of elements included in thepanel 262 repeat an activated state and an inactivated state, in a statein which the panel 262 is turned on.

A horizontal axis of graph 1230 may indicate time, and a vertical axisof graph 1230 may indicate whether one or more elements among theplurality of elements included in the panel 262 operate in an activestate.

Graph 1240 may indicate an operation state of the ambient light sensor240K. A horizontal axis of graph 1240 may indicate time, and a verticalaxis of graph 1240 may indicate whether the ambient light sensor 240Koperates in an active state.

In graph 1240, a duration (T1) may indicate a duration for which theambient light sensor 240K operates in a turn-on (active) state. Forexample, the duration (T1) may indicate an active duration. The ambientlight sensor 240K operating in the first configuration or the thirdconfiguration may operate in the active state during the duration (T1)irrespective of a state of the panel 262 as indicated by graph 1230. Inother words, the ambient light sensor 240K operating in the firstconfiguration or the third configuration may receive light around theelectronic device 101 irrespective of the state of the panel 262.

FIG. 13A illustrates another example of an operation of the ambientlight sensor 240K included in an electronic device according to variousembodiments.

Referring to FIG. 13A, in operation 1310, the processor 120 may receivea state signal from the display 260. For example, the processor 120 mayreceive the state signal through the signal pins 616 and 626 includedrespectively in the ambient light sensor 240K and the display 260. Invarious embodiments, the state signal may include information relatedwith a state of the display 260. For example, the state signal mayindicate one or more of a state of a screen (e.g., ON/OFF of the screen)displayed through the panel 262 of the display 260 or an ON/OFF timingof the screen.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may receive the state signalcyclically, or transmit or receive the state signal based on theoccurrence of a specified event. For example, the processor 120 mayreceive the state signal in response to a specified scanning line withinthe panel 262 being activated (or inactivated) every specified cycle.The processor 120 may synchronize the ambient light sensor 240K and thedisplay 260, based on the receiving of the state signal.

In operation 1320, the ambient light sensor 240K may identify a timingat which an operation of the ambient light sensor 240K will beinitiated, based on the received state signal.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may identify a timing at whicha screen displayed through the panel 262 is turned on (or turned off),included in the received state signal. The processor 120 may identify atiming at which the screen is turned off, based on the identifiedtiming. The processor 120 may identify an operation initiation timing atwhich an operation of the ambient light sensor 240K will be initiated,based on the timing at which the screen is turned off.

In various embodiments, the ambient light sensor 240K may operate in astate in which an interference of the display 260 is minimized (ordecreased), through the receiving of the state signal. In other words,the electronic device 101 may secure an accuracy, reliability, etc. ofan illuminance measured through the ambient light sensor 240K, throughthe state signal.

In operation 1330, the processor 120 may identify whether it has reachedthe initiation timing (or operation initiation timing) identifiedthrough operation 1320. The processor 120 may change the setting of theambient light sensor 240K. In some embodiments, the sensor hub 242 mayreplace at least part of an operation of the processor 120. For example,the sensor hub 242 may change the setting of the ambient light sensor240K.

In response to reaching the initiation timing, the processor 120 or theambient light sensor 240K may perform operation 1340. In response to notreaching the initiation timing, the processor 120 or the ambient lightsensor 240K may repeatedly perform operation 1330. In other words, inresponse to not reaching the initiation timing, the processor 120 or theambient light sensor 240K may continuously monitor whether it reachesthe initiation timing.

In operation 1340, the ambient light sensor 240K may receive light (orrays) around the electronic device 101 during the second duration.

In various embodiments, the second duration may include one or morefirst intervals for which the light receiving unit 612 operates in anactive state and one or more second intervals for which the lightreceiving unit 612 operates in an idle state. The second intervals maybe identified between the first intervals. The first interval of thesecond duration may correspond to a duration for which one or morescanning lines within a screen displayed through the panel 262 areturned off. The one or more scanning lines may be disposed in adjacentto the ambient light sensor 240K. An initiation timing of the secondduration may correspond to a timing at which the one or more scanninglines are converted from an emitting state to a non-emitting state. Anending timing of the second duration may correspond to a timing at whichstates of the one or more scanning lines are converted from thenon-emitting state to the emitting state. In some embodiments, the lightreceiving unit 612 may receive light around the electronic device 101,within a duration for which the one or more scanning lines are turnedoff. For example, the light receiving unit 612 may operate in the activestate converted from the idle state within a duration for which thescreen is turned off. The light receiving unit 612 may terminate (orstop) receiving light around the electronic device 101, within aduration for which the one or more scanning lines are turned on. Forexample, the light receiving unit 612 may operate in the idle stateconverted from the active state, within a duration for which the screenis turned on. In other words, by synchronizing an operation of theambient light sensor 240K and an operation of the display 260 on thebasis of the state signal, the processor 120 or the ambient light sensor240K may control an active timing or inactive timing of the lightreceiving unit 612.

In various embodiments, the sensor hub 242 may replace and perform atleast part of an operation that the processor 120 performs, in relationwith FIG. 13B. The processor 120 may identify or process an operationrelated with the ambient light sensor 240K through the sensor hub 242.

FIG. 13B illustrates another example of the setting of the ambient lightsensor 240K included in an electronic device according to variousembodiments.

In FIG. 13B, the setting of the ambient light sensor 240K may correspondto the second configuration.

Referring to FIG. 13B, graph 1350 may indicate a state of a screendisplayed through the panel 262 of the display 260. Graph 1350 mayindicate an operation in which a plurality of elements included in thepanel 262 repeat an activated state and an inactivated state, in a statein which the panel 262 is turned on. A horizontal axis of graph 1350 mayindicate time, and a vertical axis of graph 1350 may indicate whetherone or more elements among a plurality of elements included in the panel262 or one or more scanning lines among a plurality of scanning linesincluded in the panel 262 operate in an active state.

Graph 1360 may indicate an operation state of the ambient light sensor240K. A horizontal axis of graph 1360 may indicate time, and a verticalaxis of graph 1360 may indicate whether the ambient light sensor 240Koperates in an active state.

In graph 1350, in response to reaching a timing 1351, one or moreelements or one or more scanning lines of the panel 262 may be convertedinto an active state. The one or more elements or the one or morescanning lines may operate in the active state during a duration 1352.In response to reaching a timing 1353 (or in response to a lapse of theduration 1352), the one or more elements or the one or more scanninglines may operate in an idle state. The one or more elements or the oneor more scanning lines may repeatedly perform this operation.

In graph 1360, while the one or more elements or the one or morescanning lines operate in the active state, the ambient light sensor240K may operate in the idle state (or inactive state). For example, theambient light sensor 240K may operate in the idle state during aduration 1361. In other words, the ambient light sensor 240K may stopreceiving light during the duration 1361.

In response to reaching the timing 1362, the ambient light sensor 240Kmay operate in the active state converted from the idle state. Theambient light sensor 240K may synchronize with the panel 262, based on astate signal received through the signal pin 626 and the signal pin 616from the panel 262. On the basis of the synchronization, the ambientlight sensor 240K may convert a state of the ambient light sensor 240Kinto the active state, at a timing at which the one or more elements orthe one or more scanning lines are converted into the idle state. Theambient light sensor 240K may operate in the active state during aduration 1363. In response to reaching a timing 1364, the ambient lightsensor 240K may operate in the idle state. Because the ambient lightsensor 240K operates based on a cyclically received state signal, theambient light sensor 240K may convert into the idle state at the timing1364 that is a timing at which the one or more elements or the one ormore scanning lines are converted into the active state. The ambientlight sensor 240K may repeatedly perform this operation.

In various embodiments, the sensor hub 242 may replace and perform atleast part of an operation that the processor 120 performs, in relationwith FIG. 13B. The processor 120 may identify or process an operationrelated with the ambient light sensor 240K through the sensor hub 242.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of an operation of receiving light in anelectronic device, based on a state signal according to variousembodiments. FIG. 14 illustrates operation 1140 of FIG. 11 in moredetail.

Referring to FIG. 14 , in operation 1410, the sync pin 616 of theambient light sensor 240K may receive a state signal from the display260. The signal pin 616 may receive the state signal transmitted throughthe signal pin 626 from the panel 262 of the display 260.

In various embodiments, the state signal may include information about astate of a screen displayed through the panel 262 of the display 260.For example, the state signal may include information for indicating anON/OFF timing of the screen.

In various embodiments, the electronic device 101 may include at leastone scanning line. The state signal received through the signal pins 616and 626 may include information related with the scanning line. Forexample, the state signal may be received at a timing at which the firstscanning line positioned at the uppermost end of the electronic device101 emits light. The scanning lines may emit light in sequence up to annth row, in response to the uppermost end being the first row.

In various embodiments, a time gap between a timing at which the firstrow of the scanning lines emits light and a timing at which the secondrow of the scanning lines emits light us). An ON/OFF cycle of thescanning line may be about 4.15 ms. The minimum duration of maintaininga state in which the scanning line is turned off may be about 1.45 ms.

In various embodiments, the state signal transmitted and/or receivedbased on the signal pins 616 and 626 may include information relatedwith the at least one element (e.g., pixel). The state signal mayinclude information related with a timing at which at least one elementincluded in the first scanning line positioned at the uppermost end ofthe electronic device 101 emits light.

In operation 1420, the processor 120 may identify a reception timing ofthe state signal. In various embodiments, the state signal may includeinformation for indicating an emitting timing of the scanning line ofthe display 260. Through identifying the reception timing of the statesignal, the processor 120 may identify that the first scanning line ofthe display 260 emits light (or an emitting timing of the first scanningline).

In operation 1430, the processor 120 may identify a timing of initiatingan operation of the ambient light sensor 240K, based on the identifiedtiming and/or the delay time of the scanning line. In some embodiments,the delay time of the scanning line may be previously designated basedon a state of hardware of the electronic device 101.

In various embodiments, the processor 120 may convert a state of theambient light sensor 240K from an inactive state to an active state, inresponse to a specified scanning line of a screen displayed through thepanel 262 being turned off. In some embodiments, at least a part of aplurality of scanning lines included in the panel 262 of the display 260may affect the ambient light sensor 240K. In response to the at leastpart of the plurality of scanning lines capable of affecting the ambientlight sensor 240K being turned off, the processor 120 may convert thestate of the ambient light sensor 240K from the inactive state to theactive state. In other embodiments, the processor 120 may receiveinformation about a timing at which the first scanning line among theplurality of scanning lines capable of affecting the ambient lightsensor 240K is turned off, received through the signal pin 616. Theprocessor 120 may identify a duration required until the plurality ofscanning lines capable of affecting the ambient light sensor 240K areall turned off, based on the received information about the timing. Onthe basis of the required time, the processor 120 may change the stateof the ambient light sensor 240K. For example, a total sum of the delaytime related with the scanning lines affecting the ambient light sensor240K may be about 0.05 seconds. In this embodiment, a timing at whichthe ambient light sensor 240K is turned on may be about 0.05 secondsafter a timing at which the display 260 is turned off. The sum of thedelay time may be calculated by a product of the number of scanninglines affecting the ambient light sensor and the delay time.

In various embodiments, the sensor hub 242 may replace and perform atleast part of an operation that the processor 120 performs, in relationwith FIG. 14 .

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of an operation of a scanning line and anambient light sensor which are included in an electronic deviceaccording to various embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 15 , the electronic device 101 may include the ambientlight sensor 240K and at least one scanning line.

In various embodiments, a length 1530 may indicate a range of scanninglines affecting the ambient light sensor 240K. A scanning line 1510 maycorrespond to the first scanning line which is capable of affecting theambient light sensor 240K. A scanning line 1520 may correspond to thelast scanning line which is capable of affecting the ambient lightsensor 240K.

In various embodiments, the signal pin 616 of the ambient light sensor240K may receive information about a turn-on timing of the scanning line1510 from the display 260. The information about the turn-on timingreceived through the signal pin 616 may be transmitted to the processor120. The processor 120 may identify an activation timing of the ambientlight sensor 240K, based on the received information about the turn-ontiming. For example, the processor 120 may identify a turn-off timing ofthe scanning line 1510, a turn-on timing of the scanning line 1520,and/or a turn-off timing of the scanning line 1520, from the informationabout the turn-on timing of the scanning line 1510. In response to theturn-off timing of the scanning line 1520, the ambient light sensor 240Kmay be activated. In some embodiments, the processor 120 may perform anoperation related with the scanning line through the sensor hub 242.

In various embodiments, the number of scanning lines affecting theambient light sensor 240K may be different depending on a size of theambient light sensor 240K. Information about the number of scanninglines which are turned off during about 1 ms in order for the ambientlight sensor 240K to be activated 1 ms or longer so as to receive light(rays) around the electronic device 101 may be needed. The number ofscanning lines turned off during about 1 ms may be identified based onEquation 1 below.

$\begin{matrix}{N = \frac{t_{off} - {2 \times t_{m\arg in}} - t_{on}}{t_{delay}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1}\end{matrix}$

In Equation 1, the N may refer the number of scanning lines turned offduring 1 ms, the t_(off) may refer a duration for which the display 260is turned off, the t_(on) may refer an integration time for which theambient light sensor 240K should maintain a turn-on state so as tointegrate information about light, the t_(delay) may refer a delay timebetween respective scanning lines, and the t_(margin) may refer anon/off timing margin of the display 260 and the ambient light sensor240K. For example, the N may be determined to be 44, in response to thedisplay 260 having 2,960 scanning lines, the t_(margin) being 0.1 ms,the t_(on) being 1 ms, the t_(off) being about 1.45 ms, and thet_(delay) being 5.6 μs. That is, in response to the size of the ambientlight sensor 240K being smaller than a length of 44 scanning lines thatare disposed in a Y axis, the ambient light sensor 240K may be activatedabout 1 ms or longer so as to receive light around the electronic device101. The 44 scanning lines may be included in the length 1530. A methodof identifying the size of the ambient light sensor 240K may be changedbased on a resolution and size of the display 260, and even the size ofthe ambient light sensor 240K may be identified variously.

FIG. 16 illustrates another example of a mode of an ambient light sensorincluded in an electronic device according to various embodiments.

In FIG. 16 , the mode of the ambient light sensor 240K may correspond tothe second mode.

Referring to FIG. 16 , graph 1601 may indicate states of one or morescanning lines included in the display 260. In detail, in response tothe display 260 including an n number of scanning lines, graphs 1601-1to 1601-n may indicate the states of one or more scanning linesaffecting the ambient light sensor 240K, respectively. In response tothe display 260 being activated (or in response to a power supply beingsupplied), the panel 262 may display a screen, based on an operation inwhich one or more scanning lines repeat an activated state (or a turn-onstate) and an inactivated state (or a turn-off state). In response tothe display 260 being inactivated, the scanning lines may maintain theinactivated state. The one or more scanning lines may each include oneor more elements. Horizontal axes of graphs 1601-1 to 1601-n mayindicate time. Vertical axes of graphs 1601-1 to 1601-n may indicatewhether the one or more scanning lines among the n number of scanninglines included in the panel 262 and affecting the ambient light sensor240K operate in an active state. Graph 1601-1 may be the first scanningline affecting the ambient light sensor 240K among the n number ofscanning lines included in the panel 262. Graph 1601-2 may be the secondscanning line affecting the ambient light sensor 240K among the n numberof scanning lines included in the panel 262. Graph 1601-n may be the nthscanning line affecting the ambient light sensor 240K among the n numberof scanning lines included in the panel 262.

Graph 1602 may indicate an operation state of the ambient light sensor240K. A horizontal axis of graph 1602 may indicate time, and a verticalaxis of graph 1602 may indicate whether the ambient light sensor 240Koperates in an active state.

In graph 1601-1, in response to reaching a timing 1610, the firstscanning line affecting the ambient light sensor 240K may be convertedinto an active state.

The first scanning line may operate in the active state during aduration 1620. In response to reaching a timing 1611 (or in response toa lapse of the duration 1620), the first scanning line may operate in anidle state. The first scanning line may repeatedly perform thisoperation.

In graph 1601-2, in response to a lapse of a duration 1630, the secondscanning line affecting the ambient light sensor 240K may be convertedinto the active state. The duration 1630, which is a duration before thesecond scanning line is activated after the first scanning line isactivated, may be denoted as a delay duration. The second scanning linemay be converted into the idle state after a lapse of the delay durationafter it reaches a timing 1611 being a timing for converting the firstscanning line into the idle state. A time gap of the duration 1630 beingthe duration before the second scanning line is activated after thefirst scanning line is activated may correspond to a time gap of aduration 1631 being a duration before the second scanning line isinactivated after the first scanning line is inactivated.

In graph 1601-n, the nth scanning line may be converted into the activestate after a lapse of a duration 1640 indicating an integration of an(n−1) number of delay time after it reaches the timing 1610. The nthscanning line may be converted into the idle state after the lapse ofthe (n-1) number of delay time (i.e., a duration 1641) corresponding tothe duration 1640 after it reaches the timing 1611. During a duration1690 until the first scanning line is converted into the active stateafter the nth scanning line is converted into the idle state, the nnumber of scanning lines affecting the ambient light sensor 240K mayoperate in the idle state.

In graph 1602, while at least one scanning line among the n number ofscanning lines operates in the active state, the ambient light sensor240K may operate in the idle state (or inactive state). For example, theambient light sensor 240K may operate in the idle state during aduration 1650. In other words, the ambient light sensor 240K may stopreceiving light during the duration 1650.

In response to reaching a timing elapsing the duration 1641 from thetiming 1611, i.e., reaching a timing 1670, the ambient light sensor 240Kmay operate in the active state converted from the idle state. Theambient light sensor 240K may synchronize with the panel 262, based on astate signal received from the panel 262 through the signal pin 626 andthe signal pin 616. On the basis of the synchronization, the ambientlight sensor 240K may convert a state of the ambient light sensor 240Kinto the active state at a timing at which the nth scanning line isconverted into the idle state. The ambient light sensor 240K may operatein the active state during a duration 1660. The ambient light sensor240K may operate in the idle state in response to reaching a timing1680. Because the ambient light sensor 240K operates based on acyclically received state signal, the ambient light sensor 240K mayconvert into the idle state at the timing 1680 that is a timing at whichthe first scanning line is converted into the active state. The ambientlight sensor 240K may repeatedly perform this operation.

In various embodiments, the duration 1660 being a duration formaintaining the activation state of the ambient light sensor 240K may beincluded in the duration 1690 being a duration for maintaining the idlestate of the n number of scanning lines. That is, the ambient lightsensor 240K may measure light around the electronic device 101 withinthe duration for which an n number of scanning lines are in the idlestate.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a signal flow for controlling adisplay included in an electronic device according to variousembodiments.

Referring to FIG. 17 , the electronic device 101 may include the ambientlight sensor 240K, the sensor hub 242, the processor 120, and thedisplay 260. In operation 1700, the ambient light sensor 240K mayreceive a state signal from the display 260. The state signal may betransmitted from the signal pin 626 included in the display 260 to thesignal pin 616 included in the ambient light sensor 240K. In accordancewith various embodiments, the state signal may indicate informationrelated with a state of the panel 262 of the display 260. For example,the state signal may indicate whether it is a state in which a screendisplayed in the panel 262 is activated, in a state in which the display260 is activated (or a state in which a power supply is supplied).

In some embodiments, the state signal may be repeatedly transmitted fromthe display 260 to the ambient light sensor 240K whenever the panel 262is activated. For example, the panel 262 may display the screen, basedon a process of repeating an activation operation and an inactivationoperation. In this embodiment, the display 260 may transmit the statesignal to the ambient light sensor 240K every timing at which the panel262 begins to perform the activation operation in order to display thescreen.

In other some embodiments, the state signal may be a process beingseparate from a process of performing operation 1701 to operation 1706.For example, while the information related with the illuminance istransmitted from the sensor hub 242 to the processor 120 in operation1703, the state signal may be transmitted from the display 260 to theambient light sensor 240K.

In operation 1701, the ambient light sensor 240K may provide theinformation about the illuminance to the sensor hub 242 of FIG. 6 . Invarious embodiments, the ambient light sensor 240K may identify anactivation timing of the ambient light sensor 240K, based on thereceived state signal. The ambient light sensor 240K may receive light(rays) around the electronic device 101, based on the identifiedactivation timing. The ambient light sensor 240K may receive lightaround the electronic device 101 through the light receiving unit 612.The received light may be analog data. The analog data may betransmitted from the light receiving unit 612 to the ADC 614. In the ADC614, the analog data may be converted into digital data, and betransmitted to the sensor hub 242.

In operation 1702, the sensor hub 242 may identify the received digitaldata. On the basis of the identifying, the sensor hub 242 may identifyan illuminance of the light.

In operation 1703, the sensor hub 242 may transmit information relatedwith the illuminance identified in operation 1702, to the processor 120of FIG. 6 . The processor 120 may receive the information about theilluminance.

In operation 1704, the processor 120 may identify whether to change abrightness of the display 260, based on the received information aboutthe illuminance. The processor 120 may compare the received informationrelated with the illuminance and a brightness of a screen currentlydisplayed through the panel 262 of the display 260. In response to theinformation related with the illuminance being higher than thebrightness of the screen, the processor 120 may identify to increase thebrightness of the screen. In response to the information related withthe illuminance being lower than the brightness of the screen, theprocessor 120 may identify to decrease the brightness of the screen.

In operation 1705, the processor 120 may transmit information relatedwith a value for indicating a brightness of the display 260, to thedisplay 260. The information related with the value for indicating thebrightness of the display 260 may include information about a luminanceof the display 260. The display 260 may receive the information relatedwith the value for indicating the brightness of the display 260.

In operation 1706, the display 260 may change the brightness of thedisplay 260, based on the received information. The processor 120 maytransmit information for indicating the brightness, to the DDI 268included in the display 260. On the basis of the information, the DDI268 may control the brightness of the screen displayed through the panel262 of the display 260.

In various embodiments, a method of the electronic device 101 mayinclude sensing ambient light of the electronic device 101 during afirst duration by using the ambient light sensor 240K, in a state inwhich the display 260 is turned off, identifying the setting of theambient light sensor 240K, based on at least in part on a characteristicof the ambient light, sensing ambient light of the electronic device 101during a second duration through the ambient light sensor 140K, based onat least in part on the identified setting of the ambient light sensor240K, and controlling a function of the display 260 of the electronicdevice 101, based at least in part on a characteristic of the ambientlight sensed during the second duration.

In various embodiments, the electronic device 101 may include thedisplay 260, the ambient light sensor 240K including at least one lightreceiving unit for sensing ambient light of the electronic device 101,and the processor 120. The processor 120 may activate the lightreceiving unit of the ambient light sensor 240K during a first durationof time, to sense ambient light of the electronic device 101, and inresponse to a characteristic of the ambient light satisfying adesignated condition, activate the light receiving unit during a part ofa second duration of time and inactivate the light receiving unit duringanother part of the second duration of time, to sense ambient light ofthe electronic device 101, and control a function of the display 260,based at least in part on a characteristic of the ambient light sensedduring the second duration of time.

In various embodiments, a method of the ambient light sensor 240K mayinclude measuring a first ambient light of the electronic device 101, ina state in which at least one or more pixels are turned off, and inresponse to the first ambient light satisfying a designated condition,measuring a second ambient light of the electronic device at a firstcycle of time, and in response to the first ambient light not satisfyingthe designated condition, measuring the second ambient light at a secondcycle of time, based at least on state signals of the at least one ormore pixels.

In various embodiments, a method of the electronic device 101 mayinclude sensing ambient light of the electronic device 101 during afirst duration by using the ambient light sensor 240K, in a state inwhich the display 260 is turned off, identifying setting for being usedfor the ambient light sensor 240K, based on at least in part on acharacteristic of the ambient light, sensing ambient light of theelectronic device 101 during a second duration through the ambient lightsensor 240K, based on at least in part on the identified setting, andcontrolling a function of the display 260, based at least in part on acharacteristic of the ambient light sensed during the second duration.

An electronic device and an operation method thereof according tovarious embodiments may more improve a function of the ambient lightsensor of the electronic device. According to various embodiments, asignal related with the screen displayed through the panel of thedisplay of the electronic device may be transmitted to the ambient lightsensor. The ambient light sensor may control an operation of measuringthe illuminance, based on the received signal.

According to various embodiments, the panel included in the display ofthe electronic device may display the screen through repeating an on/offoperation. The ambient light sensor may initiate an operation ofmeasuring light at a timing at which the panel is turned off. On thebasis of the operation, the ambient light sensor may reduce theinfluence of the screen displayed through the panel. Through thisoperation, the accuracy, reliability, etc. of the illuminance measuredthrough the ambient light sensor may be secured.

Although the present disclosure has been described with variousembodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to oneskilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompasssuch changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a displaycomprising a driving circuit including a first pin for transmitting astate signal corresponding to a timing of a scanning line of thedisplay; and an ambient light sensor disposed beneath the display,comprising a second pin electrically coupled with the first pin forreceiving the state signal directly from the driving circuit of thedisplay, wherein the ambient light sensor is configured to control atiming of initiating detecting ambient light based on the state signalcorresponding to the timing of the scanning line received from thedriving circuit of the display and a predefined delay time associatedwith a physical location of the ambient light sensor with respect to thedisplay.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the predefineddelay time includes a time gap between a time at which a row of thescanning line emits light and a timing at which another low of thescanning line emits light.
 3. The electronic device of claim 1, whereinthe predefined delay time is identified based at least on the physicallocation of which the ambient light sensor is disposed beneath thedisplay.
 4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the predefineddelay time is identified based at least on a size of the ambient lightsensor.
 5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the ambient lightsensor is further configured to: detect ambient light while the displayis in a turn-off state; responsive to a setting corresponding to a firstconfiguration and the display being in a turn-on state, detect ambientlight for a first active duration longer than a duration of at least aportion of an activated state of the display and a subsequentinactivated state of the display, wherein the setting is identifiedbased at least in part on a characteristic of the ambient light detectedwhile the display in in the turn-off state; and responsive to thesetting corresponding to a second configuration and the display being inthe turn-on state, detect ambient light for a second active durationthat is equal to or less than a duration of an inactivated state of thedisplay.
 6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the ambient lightsensor is further configured to: detect ambient light while the displayis in a turn-off state; responsive to a setting corresponding to a firstconfiguration and the display being in a turn-on state, detect ambientlight for a first active duration longer than a duration of at least aportion of an activated state of the display and a portion of asubsequent activated state of the display, wherein the setting isidentified based at least in part on a characteristic of the ambientlight detected while the display in in the turn-off state; andresponsive to the setting corresponding to a second configuration andthe display being in the turn-on state, detect ambient light for asecond active duration that is equal to or less than a duration of aninactivated state of the display.
 7. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the ambient light sensor is further configured to: responsive toa setting corresponding to a first configuration, detect ambient lightfor a first active duration of time irrespective of a state of thedisplay; and responsive to the setting corresponding to a secondconfiguration, detect ambient light for a second active duration of timeduring a turn-off state of the display.
 8. The electronic device ofclaim 7, wherein the ambient light sensor is further configured to:detect ambient light during a third active duration of time in responseto a characteristic of the ambient light detected during a firstduration of time not satisfying a designated condition.
 9. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein a light receiving unit of theambient light sensor is activated during a first duration of time, thefirst duration of time is identified as a light measurement time of theambient light sensor in response to a characteristic of the ambientlight satisfying a designated condition.
 10. The electronic device ofclaim 9, wherein the light receiving unit of the ambient light sensor isactivated during a part of a second duration of time and is inactivatedduring another part of the second duration of time, the second durationof time is identified as the light measurement time of the ambient lightsensor in response to the characteristic of the ambient light notsatisfying the designated condition.
 11. An electronic devicecomprising: a display comprising a driving circuit including a first pinfor transmitting a state signal corresponding to a timing of a scanningline of the display; and an optical sensor disposed beneath the display,comprising a second pin electrically coupled with the first pin forreceiving the state signal directly from the driving circuit of thedisplay, wherein the optical sensor is configured to control a timing ofdetecting light based on the state signal corresponding to the timing ofthe scanning line received from the driving circuit of the display and apredefined delay time associated with a physical state of the opticalsensor.
 12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the predefineddelay time includes a time gap between a time at which a row of thescanning line emits light and a timing at which another low of thescanning line emits light.
 13. The electronic device of claim 11,wherein the predefined delay time is identified based at least on alocation of which the optical sensor is disposed beneath the display.14. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the predefined delay timeis identified based at least on a size of the optical sensor.
 15. Theelectronic device of claim 11, wherein the optical sensor is furtherconfigured to: detect light while the display is in a turn-off state;responsive to a setting corresponding to a first configuration and thedisplay being in a turn-on state, detect light for a first activeduration longer than a duration of at least a portion of an activatedstate of the display and a subsequent inactivated state of the display,wherein the setting is identified based at least in part on acharacteristic of the light detected while the display in in theturn-off state; and responsive to the setting corresponding to a secondconfiguration and the display being in the turn-on state, detect lightfor a second active duration that is equal to or less than a duration ofan inactivated state of the display.
 16. The electronic device of claim11, wherein the optical sensor is further configured to: detect lightwhile the display is in a turn-off state; responsive to a settingcorresponding to a first configuration and the display being in aturn-on state, detect light for a first active duration longer than aduration of at least a portion of an activated state of the display anda portion of a subsequent activated state of the display, wherein thesetting is identified based at least in part on a characteristic of thelight detected while the display in in the turn-off state; andresponsive to the setting corresponding to a second configuration andthe display being in the turn-on state, detect light for a second activeduration that is equal to or less than a duration of an inactivatedstate of the display.
 17. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein theoptical sensor is further configured to: responsive to a settingcorresponding to a first configuration, detect light for a first activeduration of time irrespective of a state of the display; and responsiveto the setting corresponding to a second configuration, detect light fora second active duration of time during a turn-off state of the display.18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the optical sensor isfurther configured to: detect light during a third active duration oftime in response to a characteristic of the light detected during afirst duration of time not satisfying a designated condition.
 19. Theelectronic device of claim 11, wherein a light receiving unit of theoptical sensor is activated during a first duration of time, the firstduration of time is identified as a light measurement time of theoptical sensor in response to a characteristic of the light satisfying adesignated condition.
 20. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein thelight receiving unit of the optical sensor is activated during a part ofa second duration of time and is inactivated during another part of thesecond duration of time, the second duration of time is identified asthe light measurement time of the optical sensor in response to thecharacteristic of the light not satisfying the designated condition.